92
Government, and the communication of all the known circumstances of the case to the various parties who are or may be concerned in it, seemed the best way to prevent the future use of this port as a base for the coal supply of either belligerent fleet.
5. I am asking His Britannic Majesty's Consul at Batavia to inform me of the proceedings of the "Poschan," in Java, with a view to ascertaining whether this vessel or others dispatched by the same firm, "under instructions from Shanghae," shall in future be considered as attending on a belligerent fleet.
15372.
I have, &c.
M. NATHAN.
98
Enclosure 1 in No. 160.
MEMORANDUM.
The IMPERIal Japanese-CONSULATE to Mr. W. A. CUSCADEN.
DEAR SIR,
Singapore, April 11, 1905. THE steamer "Hindoo" left Cardiff last October with 6,000 tons of coal, and arrived Vladivostock last January, viâ Sabang. She stayed at Vladivostock about three weeks, and then went to Mumoran, Japan, where she took in Japanese coal for Singapore. I have every reason to believe she is going to Baltic fleet with Cardiff coal, and am watching her movements at present.
Yours, &c.
T. TANAKA,
TRE
PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference :-
885
9PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
SIR,
No. 160.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON TO MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received May 6, 1905.)
(Confidential.)
[Copy to Foreign Office, May 13, 1905, L. F.]
1
Government House, Singapore,
April 13, 1905. WITH reference to my telegram of the 12th instant, as to the detention of the steam-ship "Hindoo," I have the honour to acquaint you that last night I gave orders for her release.
2 When the Japanese Consul asked for her detention he stated, as I informed you in my telegrain, that she had carried a cargo of Welsh coal to Vladivostock, and after discharging there proceeded to Japan and loaded with Japanese coal for this port.
3. As soon as this was discharged she loaded with C'ardiff coal, and was on the point of leaving when the Consul applied for her detention on the ground that the coal was believed to be destined for the Russian squadron which recently passed this port, his reason being based on the previous history of the ship, the fact that the Russian squadron is believed to have proceeded in the direction of Saigon, and that in ordinary circumstances Welsh coal is not exported, certainly not in large quantities, from this port to Saigon.
4. In the circumstances there appeared to be sufficient grounds for detaining the vessel until enquiry could be made, and I instructed the Harbour Master to refuse a clearance, and placed a police guard on the wharf to prevent the ship leaving.
6. I at the same time caused the agents of the ship to be informed that the ship would be allowed to proceed at once if they would give a bond for the value of the coal, the bond to be released on the production of evidence that the coal had been landed at Saigon. This they declared themselves unable to do.
6. In the meantime I instructed the police to make enquiry about the "Hindoo," and caused the Japanese Consul to be informed that the grounds of his suspicion appeared to be insufficient to warrant the further detention of the ship, and that if he desired it to be detained longer he must give me a guarantee against any claim upon His Majesty's Government for compensation for the detention.
7. The only further circumstance about the vessel reported by the police was that the German crew had been discharged and a Chinese crew engaged here.
8. The Japanese Consul replied (copy enclosed), admitting that the circumstances he had brought forward were insufficient to justify legally the detention of the ship, and saying that he would be quite satisfied with any decision I might take on the matter.
Upon receiving this I ordered the guard to be withdrawn and clearance to be granted.
9. I should add that I communicated also with the Acting German Consul to the effect that if he would give me an assurance that the coal was bond fide destined for discharge at Saigon I would release the ship, and I enclose a copy of his reply.
I have, &c.
JOHN ANDERSON.
• No. 186.
Enclosure 2 in No. 160.
The CONSUL for Japan, Singapore, to the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Straits Settlements.
DEAR SIR,
Japanese Consulate, April 12, 1905.
IN regard to steam-ship "Hindoo," I fully understand that the ground I take of suspecting her mission is not strong enough from your official point of view, and there is no ample justification of detaining her by your Government. In such matters it is very hard to get authentic information, and what I have told police officer is more or less logically indefinite. I have the least intention to detain her on the force of my knowledge, and am quite satisfied of whatever steps your Government will be pleased
In the meantime I shall inform police officer if I obtain any new grounds for Buspecting her.
to take on the matter.
Cordially thanking for your courtesy and consideration,
Enclosure 8 in No. 160.
MEMORANDUM.
Yours, &c.
T. TANAKA.
The IMPERIAL Japanese ConBULATE to Mr. W. A. CUSCADEN.
(Confidential.)
DEAR Mr. CUSCADEN,
THE grounds are briefly as follows:—
1. Her previous record.
Singapore, April 12, 1905.
2. I have ascertained indirectly from one of the crew that a telegram was received yesterday to load 5,500 tons instead of 4,000 tons, and destination is a certain port in French Indo-China.
What I personally desire is the delay of departure, if not the refusal of clearance.
Τ. ΤΑΝΑΚΑ.
Enclosure 4 in No. 160.
Yours, &c.
ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL for Germany to the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Straits Settlements. (F. No. 649, 650, 651/343.)
Singapore, April 12, 1905.
SIR,
In reply to your letter of to-day's date, re steam-ship "Hindoo," I have the honour to inform you that I am not in the position to give the assurance that the coal loaded by the German steamer "Hindoo" is to be landed at the port for which the ship will clear. The master tells me that the steamer is bound for Saigon, where he will receive orders for unloading, and that the agency of his ship, the firm Shrager Brothers here who load it, is not willing to give him any assurance about the landing of the .coal,
94
I further beg to inform you that the master has communicated me that a guard of four English soldiers has been laid upon the "Hindoo" without any knowledge of this Consulate. Will you kindly inform me at your earliest convenience who has given such an order, and communicate me the reason why, and the rule or regulation under which that has been done?
I have, &c.
L. HEINTZE,
Acting Consul-General for Germany,