CO882-(6-8) — Page 424

16

possibly two months that might elapse before this is possible, and the consequent expenditure on their maintenance that would be involved, until the harbour master can obtain favourable terms for shipping them as passengers.

(2.) The agents to pay the men's wages up to the date of their refusal to go to Japan (July 18th), and to pay under protest for their maintenance in the Sailors' Home pending embarkation.

(3) The expenses of sending home to be paid by the agents at Board of Trade rate under protest pending subsequent adjustment.

(4.) The men not to be called upon to sign off their Articles, which they would probably refuse to do, as prejudging the claim which they consider they have against the owners, and which they will, no doubt, follow up on arrival in England.

6. I would point out, as not entirely irrelevant to the present matter, that it is the invariable custom here on ships being put under charter for conveying coolies for Chinese crews to take the place of the European crews, who are then sent back to England at the owner's expense. I am informed that an instance of this kind occurred in the case of the "Ikbal" belonging to the same owners as the "Inkum," which was recently taken up for coolie conveyance, the European crew of 44 being sent to England at an expense of some £700 to the owners. It will, of course, be a very great advantage to these owners if in the case of the "Inkum" they were saved a corresponding expense, or have it reduced by the substitution of Board of Trade for ordinary rates. They are probably within their rights in endeavouring to secure this advantage. Whether they will succeed in doing so will, no doubt, depend on the correctness of the Board of Trade's view that the European crew were bound to proceed to Japan under their articles.

I have, &c.,

17

A further report from Sir M. Nathan is expected, and meanwhile the Secretary of State is deferring his answer to the owners of the vessel.

36630

No. 36.

I am, &c.,

H. BERTRAM COX.

GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received October 24, 1904.)

(Confidential.)

SIR,

Government House, Hong Kong, September 21, 1904. THAT part of your telegram of the 10th instant which directed me to send a full report of all the circumstances of the case of the crew of the S.S. "Inkum " was anticipated by my confidential despatch of the 8th [? 9th] instant.t

2. In continuation of that despatch, which embodied the arrangements which had been arrived at between this Government and the master and agents of the S.S. "Inkum" for providing for the crew during their stay in the Colony, I have now the honour to forward in triplicate bills for the men's board and lodging from 23rd July to 6th September, which amount in all to $1,324.05. This amount has been paid by Messrs. Arnhold Karberg and Company, the former agents.

Enclosure in No. 34.

A.

M. NATHAN,

Governor, &c.

3. I also attach accounts in respect of the wages due to the men. Arnhold Karberg and Company had expressed their willingness to pay the due up to the time of refusal of duty by the crew, but the men, while acknowledging the correctness of the accounts, have declined to sign them.

Messrs. wages

TELEGRAM FROM AGENTS to OWNERS.

September 5, 1904. Authorities put crew on board. Powerless prevent same on account of ship declining to pay expenses. Crew still on articles.

B.

TELEGRAM FROM OWNERS to AGENTS.

September 6, 1904. Crew. Officials should collect expenses through the Board of Trade, but if necessary pay them under protest. Officials must carry out arrange- ments have been made Colonial Office here.

4. After September 8th, as I explained in my previous despatch,† the expenses incurred by these men have been guaranteed by Messrs. Gibb, Livingston and Company, the present agents, under protest.

5. No expenses were incurred on September 7th, for it was on that day that the men were temporarily put back on board the "Inkum" under an arrangement between the master and the harbour master.

36735

No. 37.

I have, &c.,

M. NATHAN,

Governor, &c.

34915

(Confidential.)

SIR.

No. 35.

COLONIAL OFFICE to BOARD OF TRADE.

[See No. 42.]

Downing Street, October 14, 1904. WITH reference to your letter of the 12th ultimo,* with regard to the case of the S.S. "Inkum," I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you, for the information of the Board of Trade, a copy of a confidential despatcht from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject.

• No. 31.

† No. 31.

GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 1.10 p.m., October 25, 1904.) TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 43.]

Matter most urgent. Crew steam vessel "Bawtry" who signed articles after outbreak of hostilities to proceed to Manila and all ports between 75° north latitude and 60° south latitude absolutely refuse to proceed to Vladivostock: cargo of coal. Legal points raised of a similar kind to those in connection with "Inkum." Have Law Officers of the Crown given legal opinion in that case which I can communicate to Magistrate? Of great importance that he should have guidance.

• No. 30.

20087

† No. 34.

1| 2 | 3 |

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO