79
THOS. FIELDING,
Collector.
To Secretary,
Custom House,
78
Handed in at Barry, 10:58 A.M., London, E.C.
March 22, 1905. CONTINUING report last night to Solicitor, steamer "Syfang," late "Johannis- berger," suspected coaling Russian fleet. Master 'confirms Chief Officer's statement as to change of name, master, and all crew recently joined vessel. No evidence obtainable of former movements.
CHIEF OFFICER.
(Confidential.) HONOURABLE SIRS,
Custom House, Cardiff,
March 23, 1905.
I BEG to forward telegrams, &c., received relating to the above vessel, and to report that the Master of the vessel having given the written assurances required by the Foreign Office, there appears to be no further reason for restricting the movements of the "Syfang" in this instance.
No difficulty was experienced in dealing with this case, the master and agents being quite willing to comply with the conditions laid down by the Foreign Office.
Respectfully,
Enclosure 2 in No. 135.
FOREIGN OFFICE to MR. FIELDING, Collector of Customs, Cardiff.
(March 22, 1905.)
TELEGRAM.
OBTAIN from master of "Syfang," formerly "Johannisberger," written assurance that Hong Kong is her real port of destination, and that the vessel will not attend on any belligerent fileet as a collier.
Failing this assurance, "Syfang" should not be permitted to leave Barry Dock with any cargo of coal taken on board there or elsewhere in your district.
Secretary of State's warrant for detention of ship, under section 23 of "Foreign Enlistment Act, 1870," will follow necessary.--CAMPBELL (UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE).
Cardiff,
March 23, 1905.
DEAR SIR,
I HAVE received your letter of to-day, and I herewith give you my written assurance that Hong Kong is the real port of destination of my vessel the "Syfang," and that the vessel will not attend on any belligerent as a collier.
Yours, &c.
H. DEGENER,
Master of steam-ship "Syfang."
To the Collector,
His Majesty's Customs,
Cardiff.
12107.
No. 136.
Enclosure 3 in No. 135.
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, Cardiff, to THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, Foreign Office, London.
(March 23, 1905.)
TELEGRAM.
MASTER of "Syfang" has now complied with the conditions in your telegram to me of yesterday, report following.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON TO MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 1:45 P.M., April 12, 1905.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 140.]
THE steamer "Hindoostani" (German) has returned here with a cargo of Japanese coal after conveying Cardiff coal to Vladivostock. She has unloaded here and taken' on board 5,000 tons of Cardiff coal, alleged to be for Saigon. No such coal is used at Saigon, and the Japanese Consul urges that this 5,000 tons is intended for the Russian fleet. I have refused clearance, except under bond that the coal will be landed at Saigon.
12107.
No. 137.
COLONIAL OFFICE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
21
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885
9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Enclosure 4 in No. 135.
BOARD OF CUSTOMS to FOREIGN OFFICE.
(No. 4374/1905. Immediate and Confidential.) SIR,
Custom House, London,
March 24, 1905.
WITH reference to my letter of the 22nd instant, No. 4374, I am directed by the Board of Customs to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the enclosed copy of a Report by our Collector at Cardiff, dated the 23rd instant, and of the Master's assurance referred to therein, stating that Hong Kong is the real port of destination of the "Syfang," and that the vessel will not attend on any_belligerent as a collier.
The Board assume that no further action is called for in regard to the vessel.
I am, &c.
R. HENDERSON,
The Under Secretary of State,
Foreign Office.
SIR,
[Answered by No. 139.]
Downing Street,
April 13, 1905.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Lansdowne, a paraphrase of a telegram, which he has received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements respecting the treatment at Singapore of the German steamer "Hindoostani," which has embarked coal for Saigon suspected to be intended for the Russian fleet.
I am to state that Mr. Lyttelton proposes to approve Sir J. Anderson's action as reported in the telegram.
I
am,
&c. H. BERTRAM COX.
• No. 186.