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STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

Sugar. In a code telegram, of the 7th August, the Secretary of State inquired what amount of sugar was available in the Colony and the Federated Malay States, Enquiries immediately and prospectively, for export to the United Kingdom. were made, and a reply was sent to the effect that there was no present or prospec- tive stock available for export. (It may here be said that no sugar is now grown in the Colony and very little in the Federated Malay States, and that whatever transhipment sugar passes through the Colony is for the most part exported to China in the form of candy.)

Steamer Communication with Labuan.—In a telegram, dated the 7th August, the Secretary of State made inquiry regarding steamer communication with Labuan. A reply was sent on the 9th August, stating that arrangements had been made for a fortnightly service. The difficulty had been that Labuan and British North Borneo had been dependent upon the steamers of the Norddeutscher Lloyd for their communication with Singapore. When this service was suddenly inter- rupted, the Straits Steamship Company took a steamer off its ordinary run to the ports of the Federated Malay States and afforded an assistance which was badly wanted.

Interim Detention of German Steamers. In a cipher telegram of the 7th August the Secretary of State gave directions that no action was to be taken to detain Austrian steamers, but that German steamers were to be detained until notice of German reciprocity was given. The Master Attendant was instructed to take action accordingly.

Permanent Detention of German Steamers. In a cipher telegram dated the 8th August the Secretary of State ordered the permanent detention of German steamers. The necessary action was taken.

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Names of German Steamers Detained.--The Secretary of State, in a cipher telegram dated the 9th August, asked for the names of the German vessels which had been detained. A reply was despatched on the same day, giving the names of

"Chow Tai," and "Sandakan.” Ranee” the four vessels, viz., "Quarta,"

Treatment of German Reservists and Prisoners of War.-In a cipher tele- gram dated the 9th August the Secretary of State gave important instructions regarding the treatment of German reservists in the Colony, desiring that care should be taken not to arrest or detain persons whose known character precluded suspicion or who were personally vouched for, and that prisoners of war should be shown every consideration compatible with safety.

Candidates for Commissions in the Imperial Army. The Secretary of State telegraphed, on the 9th August, asking for the names of not more than three candi- dates for commissions in the Imperial Army, in accordance with the Regulations The staff officer for the issued in the circular despatch of 14th February, 1912. local forces was referred to, and replied that the age limit laid down in the Regu- lations precluded the possibility of there being any candidates. A reply to the telegram was accordingly sent to the effect that there were no candidates.

War with Austria-Hungary-In a telegram, dated the 13th August, the Secretary of State notified the outbreak of war with Austria-Hungary, giving reference to the preface of the defence scheme. The receipt of the telegram was acknowledged, and the information was at once communicated to the military authorities, to the Marine and Police Departments of the Colony, and to the Governments of the Native States.

Proclamation under Prize Courts Act: Austria-Hungary.—In a code telegram of the 13th August the Secretary of State gave instructions for the issue by the Governor, in his capacity as Vice-Admiral, of a Proclamation under Section 2 (2) of the Imperial "Prize Court Act, 1894," declaring that war had broken out with Austria-Hungary. Gazette Extraordinary No. 67, of the same day, was issued containing the Proclamation.

Trade Routes.-The Secretary of State telegraphed in cipher on the 13th August that the Admiralty recommended keeping all trade routes open, and con- sidered it most important that British trade should go on with as little interrup- tion as possible. The Master Attendant was instructed to communicate the contents of the telegram to the master of every steamer leaving the port. but was He was allowed to tell the agents of the told not to publish the information. steamship lines. The Naval Intelligence Officer was also informed.

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STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

Prohibition of Export of Sugar.-In a telegram dated the 14th August the Secretary of State stated that His Majesty's Government were possible buyers of this article. A sugar, and ordered an immediate prohibition of exportation Gazette Extraordinary, No. 71, of the 15th August, contained the necessary The Federated Malay States Proclamation under Ordinance IX. of 1913. Government was notified by telegram.

No Austrian Vessels detained in the Colony.On the 14th August the Secre- A reply was tary of State asked for the names of any Austrian vessels detained. sent stating that no such vessels had been detained.

Application to Austria-Hungary of Proclamations and Instructions relating to Germany-The Secretary of State, in a cipher telegram dated the 14th August, issued instructions for the application to Austria-Hungary of the Proclamations already issued with regard to Germany. He also desired that Austro-Hungarian Consuls and reservists should be treated in the manner laid down for the treat- ment of German Consuls and reservists. The necessary action was at once taken. Gazette Extraordinary No. 72, of the 15th August, contains the local Proclamation. Rubber and Copra for Europe.-A telegram from the Secretary of State dated the 14th August contained instructions for the refusal of the issue of port clear- ances to British vessels proposing to carry rubber or copra to neutral ports in Europe, unless it was shown that the destination of the goods was not Austria- Hungary or Germany. It further desired that any cases of neutral ships carrying such cargoes should be reported to the Board of Trade.

The necessary instructions were issued and are still being strictly carried out. Several instances of neutral vessels carrying such cargoes have so far been reported by telegram to the Board of Trade.

In

Returns of German and Austro-Hungarian Trade with the Colony.-In a telegram dated the 15th August the Secretary of State called for a return of the trade of Germany and Austria-Hungary with the Colony, and asked for particulars and samples of the principal articles of trade. The President of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce was approached, and appointed two committees of British members of the Chamber to deal with the subject of imports and exports respec- tively. The committee's report will be forwarded as soon as it is received. the meantime, the return of imports and exports has already been forwarded.

Days of Grace for Austrian Vessels.-The Secretary of State, in a telegram dated the 16th August, intimated, with reference to the preface of the defence scheme, that Austrian steamers should be allowed time up to the 22nd August in which to depart. There being no Austrian vessels detained no action was required. A Gazette Extraordinary, No. 73, of the 17th August, contained the necessary Proclamation. The receipt of the telegram was acknowledged.

Censorship of Letters and Parcels to and from Enemy Countries.-The Secretary of State's telegram of the 18th August desired that a censorship of letters and parcels to and from the enemy countries should be established. The military authorities, under whom the censors are, were communicated with, and the Postmaster-General instructed to lay before the censors all the letters and Additional censors with a knowledge of parcels referred to in the telegram.

German were appointed, and the censorship is working satisfactorily.

Withdrawal of British Battalion from Singapore.--On the 19th August the Secretary of State intimated by telegram that he had sanctioned the withdrawal of A reply was sent to the effect that the the British battalion from Singapore. battalion could be spared and that the Malay States Guides were in Singapore.

The battalion embarked on the 27th September.

Royal Naval Reserve Officers.-A telegram from the Secretary of State dated the 19th August intimated that the services of Royal Naval Reserve officers serving in merchant vessels were not at present required. The Resident Councillor, Penang, and Resident, Malacca, and the Federated Malay States Government were notified by telegram, and the Master Attendant. Singapore, by letter.

Legal Position of German Vessels Detained.-A telegram from the Secretary of State dated the 20th August dealt with the legal position of German vessels detained in certain circumstances, and was forwarded to the Attorney-General for his guidance.

Passports for Persons of Double Nationality. In a telegram dated the 21st August the Secretary of State gave instructions relating to the issue of passports

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