CO885-24 — Page 30

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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CEYLON.

already referred to. Until I am assured by the Naval authorities that no danger can arise from oversea, I shall keep mobilized the whole of the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers and Ceylon Engineer Volunteers, whose services are essential for defending Colombo from attack by sea.

6. With reference to paragraph 11 of my despatch of the 20th August,* I have nothing material to add with regard to our prisoners of war, the number of whom in Ragama Camp now stands at 143, exclusive of 48 who are still on board ships in harbour and will shortly be transferred to Ragama, and 15 who were sen- tenced to short terms of imprisonment in the ordinary course of law for mutinous conduct towards their own officers.

7. I have been in further communication with the Government of India As regards the regarding the disposal of the prize ships and their cargo. "Reichenfels" and her cargo of coal, steps have been taken to enable her to proceed forthwith to Bombay to the orders of the Director of the Royal Indian Marine. In order to obtain her immediate release from the Prize Court, I have found it neces- sary to deposit in Court a sum of £9,140 3s. 14d. If the Court should decide against the Crown claim in respect of any part of this sum, it is assumed that the Colony will be reimbursed by the Admiralty. I will keep you informed of the cir- cumstances and progress of this matter.

8. As regards the six other prizes, steps are being taken to meet the wishes of India, both as regards hulls and cargo, so far as the legal requirements of the Prize Court allow.

9. In continuation of pargraph 4 of my despatch of the 27th August,† I am pleased to say that the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce referred to therein Their efforts to adjust matters has continued to be of the greatest assistance to me.

on a satisfactory basis have been almost entirely successful. In practice opposition has been confined to the firm of Messrs. Harrisons and Crosfield. Hearing that this firm was making representations on this matter in England, I telegraphed to you on the 30th August, as followB :—

"30th August.

Glad to report Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, acting on my behalf, adjusted by consent all questions affecting pre-war contracts with local Germans, Harrisons Crosfield alone standing out of honourable settlement. Earnestly hope they will receive no encouragement if Lampard approaches Colonial Office."

10. In response to clearly expressed public opinion a public meeting was sum- moned by the whole body of unofficial members of the Legislative Council for the 1st instant to arrange for a local contribution to the Prince of Wales's War Fund. I présided over the meeting, which was largely attended and was remarkable for its earnest spirit of intense loyalty. A representative committee was formed and several large donations were immediately promised. I enclose a newspaper account‡ of the meeting's proceedings and look to be able soon to begin remittances of this Colony's contribution to the Prince's fund.

"

11. With reference to the concluding paragraph of my despatch of the 27th August,† I addressed to you on the 29th August the following telegram, to which I am awaiting your reply in due course :-

Can Board 'Ceylon's chief commercial need (is a) market for copra. of Trade help?' The need of a market for copra and other coco-nut produce, such as oil, remains my chief and almost my only source of anxiety as regards the economic welfare of the permanent population of this island. To guard against the possibility of distress in the rural districts owing to restricted markets and reduced opportunities for work on estates, I have instructed the Government Agents to be more liberal than usual in the granting of chenas to the poorer villagers. There is. as regards Ceylon, no cause for alarm, and I am glad to be able to inform you that a state of complete tranquillity prevails throughout the Colony at the present time. Ceylon evinces a most excellent spirit of unity and desire of all classes and races to co-operate at the present juncture; and this I wish gratefully to acknowledge and record.

I have, &c.,

ROBERT CHALMERS,

38474/S

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No. 30.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 6th October, 1914.)

(Confidential.)

The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon,

9th September, 1914. SIR,

In continuation of my Confidential despatch of 3rd September,* I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the following telegraphic despatches :-

(a) Your telegram of 2nd September, informing me that, subject to the requirements of the Senior Naval Officer, it is not desired to restrict unnecessarily the supply of steam coal to British, allied, or neutral vessels. I have taken the necessary steps in communication with the Senior Naval Officer. The supply of coal at present in Colombo is ample, there being over 50,000 tons of Welsh coal and about 70,000 tons of other coal.

(b) Your cipher telegram of 3rd September, asking how the German Consul, if still in Ceylon, was being treated.

To this I replied by my cipher telegram of 4th September, informing you that Mr. Reinhart Freudenberg, the former German Consul, had returned to Ceylon since the outbreak of war, and was now living in Colombo on parole, but was not exercising any consular functions.

(c) Your cipher telegram of 3rd September, regarding the tranship- ment of cotton into the 8.8. "C. Lopez y Lopez," and asking to be informed of the destination for which the steamship clears.

This vessel has not yet reached Colombo.

(d) Your telegram of 4th September, informing me of the scope and object of the Prince of Wales's National Relief Fund.

In due course I hope to be able to inform you of the probable result of the local appeal for subscriptions.

(e) Your telegram of 4th September, in reply to my telegram of 31st August, regarding the position of endorsees of bills of lading for cargo on prize ships.

Action is being taken in accordance with your instructions.

(f) Your telegram of 5th September, informing me that the mora- torium had been extended for a further period of one month.

(g) Your telegram of 5th September, asking whether the German prize s.s. "Rappenfels" was being sent to Calcutta, and as to the disposal of her cargo.

To this I replied by my telegram of 7th September, as follows:-

"With reference to your telegram of 5th September, the Prize Court has authorized the Marshal to place the "Rappenfels" at the disposal of this Government pending adjudication. The Government of India consents to take over the ship at Calcutta. No room available at Colombo to ware- house cargo, which consists entirely of goods shipped from Calcutta, greater part at risk of consignors, consequently not liable to confiscation. Have accordingly made arrangements with Bengal Government, who (?) at the instance of Calcutta consignors, to send ship forthwith to Calcutta, having first obtained release of cargo under Rule 142 (2) of Prize Rules, 1898, Bengal Government assuming responsibility for instituting fresh suit for condemnation of cargo in Calcutta. Suit for condemnation of ship continuing here.”

(h) Your telegram of 5th September, regarding the handing over to officers and men of captured ships of their clothing and personal effects of ordinary kinds, and regarding payment of their wages. Authority similar to that given to His Majesty's Procurator-General bas been given to the proper officer of the Crown, as desired by you.

Governor.

* No. 27.

† No. 28.

Not reprinted: Ceylon Observer, 2nd September, 1914,

E

(i) Your cipher telegram of 5th September, regarding the position of the German firm of Messrs. Freudenberg & Company, Colombo, as represented to you by the Ceylon Association in London.

* No. 29.

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