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carried out. These orders were of a sanitary nature, and included the cleanliness of the camp, and exercise for the men. Lieutenant Pini then began to say that the Russian Admiral from Shanghai had told aim, when I stopped him and told him that neither he nor I had anything to do with the Russian Admiral, and that if he had any complaints he was to make them to me through Major Sexton. All I wished to do was to make his sojourn here as little irksome as possible.

4 As regards restrictions, both the Russian Admiral and General Stoessel visited the camp, and without so far as I know asking permission from any one, nor did they even leave a card. The only restriction I imposed was that not more than one party of six would be allowed inside the camp at the same time.

5. So far the applications made to me by Lieutenant P'ini are:-

(a.) Warm clothing. Provided by the Russian Consul.

present itself.

49

I shall consider it to be my duty to state this openly whenever the occasion might

I have, &c.,

His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.,

Governor of Hong Kong.

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(b.) Leave to take exercise in groups and not in military formation. Granted. (c) Water carts for improving water supply. Granted.

No. 87.

C. DE BOLOGOWSKOY,

Imperial Russian Consul.

L

(d) Leave to send sick men to the civil instead of the military hospital..

Granted.

(e.) Leave for all officers to leave the men and dine with the Russian Consul

on the Czar's Name Day. Granted.

(f) Leave for the officers to visit Macao. Granted.

(g.) Leave for the officers to purchase rifles and shoot. Granted. (h.) Leave for the officers to purchase revolvers and shoot. Granted.

6. The men have been offered work on payment but refused. I have warned Lieutenant Pini that idle men are very likely to go sick here in the hot weather.

7. On the King's Birthday (the 9th November), I proposed giving the men an extra meal at my own expense, and that they should look on at the parade in celebration of the King's Birthday. This they declined, but had the dinner, the thanks for which were conveyed to me through Major Sexton by Lieutenant Pini in the following words:-

8.

The Russian Commander has desired me to express to you on behalf of himself, his officers and men, "hearty thanks for your General's attention. We have one and all been deeply touched by this delicate exhibition of kind- ness, and cannot sufficiently express our gratitude in words." I quote the Commander's own words.

These remarks are all I have to make, except that whoever travelled so far on the road of misrepresentation as to use the words in the British Ambassador's telegram, is a man who cannot be trusted, but must be looked upon as a mischief-

maker.

His Excellency the Governor.

I have, &c.,

V. HATTON,

Major-General,

Commanding the Troops in South China.

P.S.-Major Sexton informs me that he gave the Russian seamen a "treat" last Christmas at his own expense, and that this treat was fully appreciated. He states also that the whole party appears quite happy.

SIR,

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received April 28, 1905.)

[Answered by L.F. on Nos. S8 and 90.]

Foreign Office, April 27, 1905. WITH reference to your letter of the 25th November, respecting the case of Lieutenant Tyrkoff, of the Russian destroyer "Burni," who was released on parole in October last, on the ground of serious ill-health, I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to inform you that a communication has been received from the Russian Ambassador, stating that Monsieur Pini, a junior officer of that vessel, has fallen seriously ill at Hong Kong of acute neurasthenia, and that his medical adviser con- siders an immediate change of climate necessary.

Count Benckendorff asks that in the circumstances Monsieur Pini may at once. be permitted to return to Russia.

I am to request that, should Mr. Lyttelton see no objection, a telegram may be despatched to the Governor of Hong Kong enquiring whether he can confirm the report of Monsieur Pini's serious illness and instructing him in that event to proceed as in the case of Lieutenant Tyrkoff and release Monsieur Pini on parole.

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No. 88.

I am, &c.,

F. A. CAMPBELL.

MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN.

(Sent 3.35 p.m., April 29, 1905.) TELEGRAM.

[Copy to Foreign Office, May 2, 1905. L.F.]

[Answered by Nos. 91) and 91.]

Is it true that Pini is seriously ill? If so, proceed as in case of Tyrkoff.

V. H.

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No. 89.

Enclosure 2 in No. 86.

SIR,

Hong Kong, March 13, 1905. DURING the conversation of this morning Your Excellency informed me that you had received a letter from London in which doubt is expressed concerning the condition of the Russian officers and men who are interned at Kowloon, and in which it was mentioned that according to rumours the above said officers and men are not treated in a suitable manner as customary between civilised nations.

I do not hesitate to declare openly that such a statement is totally untrue, and that I immensely regret that such false rumours have been circulated. At different occasions I have visited the encampment of the interned officers and men, and I. personally, am thoroughly convinced that from the beginning till now the officers and men have always enjoyed a worthy treatment from the British Authorities.

ŞIR,

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, April 29, 1905. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 2nd of February.t I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Lansdowne, the accompanying copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong respecting the charges made by certain Russian Naval Authorities as to the ill-treatment of the Russian refugees interned at Hong Kong.

I am, &c.,

H. BERTRAM COX.

• No. 61.

† No. 78.

‡ No. 86.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

نيسيا

Reference :-

C.O. 882

8

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

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