8
responsibility regarding expenses at Hong Kong, and sending home as distressed seamen. Kindly oblige us by cabling at once to authorities to carry out arrangement for men to be sent home as distressed seamen as arranged without further trouble. ́.
31193
No. 17.
MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN.
(Sent 6.0 p.m., September 6, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by Nos. 19 and 34.]
Referring to your telegram of September 3rd.* Shipowners state they have received telegram to the effect that Hong Kong Government insist on crew returning on "Inkum "instead of being repatriated as distressed British subjects in accordance my telegram of 2nd September.f Is it true? Telegraph reply.
31204
No. 19.
GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received 12.0 noon, September 7. 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[See No. 30.]
Statement of "Inkum" shipowners incorrect. Crew will be sent home (in) as stated in my telegram of 3rd September.*
31193
No. 20.
COLONIAL OFFICE to J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LTD.
(Sent 1.40 p.m., September 7, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 82.]
Your letter of 6th.† Following cable received from Hong Kong:-"Statement [see No. 19] 3rd September."
31205
31193
DEAR SIR,
No. 18.
J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LTD., to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received September 7, 1904.)
[Answered by Nos. 20 and 25.]
Gulf Transport Line, 17, Water Street, Liverpool,
September 6, 1904.
We confirm our wire of date as per copy herewith. We were informed, through the Board of Trade, that arrangements had been made for the "Inkum " crew to be returned as soon as possible as distressed seamen. Following that came a message from our Captain asking what expenses he was to pay there. Our arrange- ment with the Board of Trade being that we would be responsible for whatever we were legally responsible to pay, we cabled the Captain to pay nothing there, assuming the authorities would make any charges they had for the men as distressed seamen at Hong Kong, through the Board of Trade, and to our great surprise we had a fur- ther cable stating that the authorities have put the crew aboard. This is exceedingly arbitrary action on their part, and should not have been adopted without further reference to us through your office.
We trust that you will have sent a cable which will end this matter finally, other- wise the authorities will be adding seriously to the complication, expense, and respon- aibility they have already brought about.
We shall be obliged if you will wire us in the morning that this matter is arranged.
We will not take this crew in the ship, for reasons stated, fearing trouble with coolies.
We are, &c., FOR J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LIMITED,
J. H. WELSFORD,
Managing Director.
No. 21.
J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LTD., to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received September 7, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 25.]
May we suggest that to simplify matters you cable Hong Kong authorities send their accounts through Board of Trade for settlement here, we undertaking to faith- fully adjust same with you or whoever you appoint? This difficulty appears to have arisen over accounts of cost of crew's detention Hong Kong. For your guidance we have instructed our agents to pay whatever authorities demand under protest. Very anxiously awaiting your reply as fear complications arising with coolies people.
31326
DEAR SIR,
No. 22.
J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LTD., to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received September 8, 1904.)
the
17, Water Street, Liverpool, September 7, 1904. We are obliged for your wire of date. If the matter is as was stated in the communication to us, and "Inkum" crew are being returned as distressed seamen, matter is in order; but notwithstanding the message received to-day, it is extraordinary that the authorities should have acted in the manner that they did so lately as yester. day in insisting that the crew should return to the "Inkum." No doubt your second cable has put the matter in order.
We are obliged for your prompt action in the matter, and if we have any further difficulty, we will communicate with you again. We confirm our wire of to-day's date.§
We are, &c.,
FOR J. H. WELSFORD & CÓ, LIMITED,
A. RUSHTON.
• No. 12.
↑ No. 18.
† No. 20.
§ No. 21.
20087
B
• No. 12.
† No. 11.
+ No. 16.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TPEPE C.O. 882
8
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO ]
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