PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Reference:-
PLLC.O. 885
سلسل سلسا
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGIMANOT TO
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MALTA
Use of guns-Licences for Fireworks, etc. Government Notice No. 138, of 10th August, 1914, prohibiting the discharge of guns between sunset and sunrise, and directing that no licences for fireworks, etc., be issued.
Public Safety.
(i) Proclamation XLI., of 17th November, 1914, announcing the enactment of an Ordinance to grant temporarily additional powers for securing the public safety and the defence of these islands."
(ii) Government Notice No. 255, of 17th November, 1914, publishing regula- tions for preventing persons from communicating with the enemy and obtaining information for disloyal purposes,
(iii) Government Notice No. 21, of 28th January, 1915, publishing regulations respecting photographing, etc., of naval and military works.
Coal-heaving in the Harbours.
(i) Government Notice No. 186, of 7th August, 1914, prohibiting coal-heaving operations other than for naval requirements in the Grand and Marsamuscetto Harbours.
This notice was published with a view of preventing coal-heaving of a private nature hampering similar operations by war vessels. In this manner all available coal-beavers would be at the disposal of the Admiralty in case of necessity. Experience, however, showed that the number of coal-heavers was sufficient to meet all requirements, and the prohibition was withdrawn by (ii) Government Notice No. 172, of 1st September, 1914, repealing the previous notice.
Communication with Ships.
Government Notice No. 137, of 8th August, 1914, prohibiting boarding of, or holding communication with, ships in harbour or in territorial waters.
an
Exemption from payment of Customs duty on gifts sent to troops. Proclamation I., of 4th February, 1915, announcing the enactment of Ordinance to provide temporarily for the exemption of certain goods from the payment of Customs duties.”
13540
MAURITIUS.
No. 80.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 23rd March, 1915.)
(Confidential.)
SIR,
Government House, Le Reduit, 3rd February, 1915. WITH reference to your cipher telegram of 2nd January, 1915,* I have the honour to transmit a narrative of events connected with the outbreak of war since the receipt of the precautionary telegram.
2. For the sake of clearness the various subjects have been dealt with under separate headings, the matter under each heading being arranged, as far as possible, chronologically.
* 86890: not printed.
I have, &c.,
J. R. CHANCELLOR.
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MAURITIUS.
Enclosure in No. 80.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS AND ACTION TAKEN IN CONNEXION WITH THE OUTBREak of War UP TO 31ST January, 1915. Contents.
I.-Measures taken on receipt of Warning Telegram
VII.
II. Outbreak of War with Germany III-Outbreak of War with Austria
IV. Outbreak of War with Turkey
V-Censorship of Submarine Cables VI-Postal and Press Censorship
-Treatment of Enemy Shipping VIII. Treatment of Enemy Subjects IX. Consular Officers of Enemy
X-Movements of Shipping XI. Restrictions on Trade XII-Embargo on Sugar
XIII. Offers of Assistance to Government
XIV. Gift of Sugar to the Army and Navy
XV.-Purchase of Sugar by His Majesty's Government
XVI. Shipment of Sugar purchased by His Majesty's Government XVII.-Food Supplies of Civil Population
XVIII.-Position of Banks
XIX. Garrison of Mauritius
XX.--Dependencies
XXI. Prize Court
XXII.-Miscellaneous
I-Measures taken on receipt of Warning Telegram.
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1. The telegram from the Secretary of State, with instructions to put into force the precautionary stage of the defence scheme, was received at 2 a.m. on the 30th July, and the prescribed measures of preparation and precaution in anticipation of war were immediately taken.
2. In accordance with instructions received the examination service was not then enforced, although all necessary steps were taken for putting it into operation; was enforced and on receipt of further instructions the examination service against ships on the 2nd August.
3. On 1st August instructions were received that the leave of all officers who had definite duties to perform under the defence scheme should be stopped, except
on medical certificate, and the necessary action was taken.
4. On the 4th August warning was received that, in view of the strained relations with Germany, special precautions should be taken against the possibility of attack in advance of a formal declaration of war, and instructions were accord- ingly issued that until further notice no railway locomotives should be kept during the hours of darkness at Mahebourg, Grand River South East, Souillac, and Tamarin railway stations close to the sea and near possible landing places.
The
5. A Proclamation calling out the Royal Naval Reserve was issued on 3rd August, and the Special Admiralty Order on the subject was published. Naval Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope was requested to telegraph instructions for the officers of the Royal Naval Reserve on the ships then in Port Louis harbour. He replied that it was not at that time the intention of the Admiralty to utilize the services of officers of the Royal Naval Reserve serving in merchant vessels abroad, and that, in the absence of further instructions, these officers should not be removed from their employment. The men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve proceeded to South Africa by the "Berwick Castle," leaving Port Louis on the 5th of September.
II. Outbreak of War with Germany.
6. Information was received at 7 a.m. on the 5th August that war had broken out with Germany, and steps were immediately taken to put in force the
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