CO885-24 — Page 54

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

19.

Reference :-

། ། ། ། ། ་ mmimmimiC.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGA

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

94

CEYLON.

In the evening we hear that the Governor requires the text of the circular letter altered.

"

Thursday, 6th August, 1914.-Early in the morning a fresh circular letter was signed, taxt as follows:- We pledge ourselves," etc. (See original.-R. W.) Messrs. v. Pavel and D. Dochle only sign this circular letter, at noon, on express instructions from Mr. W. Freudenberg, who remarked that at the moment far more important matters had to be attended to. Thereupon we also signed, but believe to be quite convinced in our minds that the reservists were insufficiently cared for. We are under the impression that our action in signing this declaration of neutrality does not harmonize with the orders which every reservist should obey at the outbreak of hostilities, or even on mobilization only.

The delay of one-and-a-half days in announcing the mobilization formed the subject for lively discussion: in fact, days later Colombo residents, members of the Landsturm, announced that they had not seen any official orders from the Consulate regarding mobilization.

It was further equally heatedly (?) declared that on the Monday, when the Consul had the order to mobilize in his hands, an attempt should have been made to get away by the 8.8. Trifels" or 8.8. "Steinturm:"

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Friday, 7th August, 1914.—Messrs. A. Bellstedt and D. Dochle request Mr. W. Freudenberg to grant them an interview in his bungalow, in order to clear up some points in connexion with the mobilization (or the calling up of reservists). In the course of this conversation we gave Herr Freudenberg to understand that we were under the impression that we had signed the pledge in too much of a hurry, and had not sufficiently complied with our duties as reservists. We refer to the belated announcement of the order to mobilize, and request Herr Freudenberg to give us his reasons for his action in the matter, so that we can explain months later to the military authorities. Herr Freudenberg remarked that he would provide us with certificates declaring that it was impossible for us to leave Ceylon, and in this respect he would do his best for us; declines, however, distinctly to state his reasons for having made the late announcement of the order to mobilize. Herr Freuden- berg, however, advises us to put in writing a record of the happenings during these days, which will be of use to us when the war is over.

The result of this conversation may well be described as rather more than less unsatisfactory (literal).

On the following morning we received orders from the police to report our- selves twice daily at a police station.

In the meantime the German Consulate was handed over to the American Consul for the duration of the war. As all relationship (?) with Herr Freudenberg in his capacity as German Consul has now been severed, we apply to Consul Moser, about eight days later, to whom we put the following questions, after a short preliminary explanation :-

A number of local German reservists are of the opinion that, after the late declaration of war between Germany and England, insufficient steps were taken to enable them to leave the island. To obtain personal satisfaction on this point, and in order later on to stand justified before the military authorities at home, these gentlemen are determined to go to the bottom of the reasons which prevented their departure from the island, and in the extreme case are prepared to take back their pledged word given to the local Government, if by doing so a possibility is As. however, such a step might opened up of their being able to leave Ceylon.

affect the other Germans in this Colony, the reservists concerned deem it their duty to inform these (others) of their intention before going further in the matter

Firstly, the reservists concerned desire the following questions answered (or cleared up):-

1. Were we from that moment on, in which the declaration of war was officially announced, prisoners of war of the English Government?

2. Would the gentlemen who might have declined to sign the document (pledge) have been allowed a certain time limit within which they might have left the island?

The reservists request Consul Moser to obtain an answer to these questions; if necessary, to get Government's confirmation of the replies.

95

CEYLON.

A short address was made by Consul Moser, in which he clearly lets us see that he does not consider Mr. W. Freudenberg's action entirely free from criticism; we gather that Consul Moser will undertake the necessary steps for us with the English Government. The results of his efforts on our behalf are shown in the following reply from the Government, and which shall serve us as a certificate:-

SIB,

of

I AM directed by His Excellency the Governor to acknowledge the receipt your letter of the 15th September, 1914, regarding the position of German reservists resident in Ceylon at the outbreak of hostilities between Great Britain and Germany.

2. In reply, I am to state that His Excellency has no objection to your inform- ing those concerned that, if they had not signed the pledge of neutrality, they would have been placed under restraint.

13th November, 1914.

(Finis.)

Enclosure 6 in No. 40.

I have, &c.,

R. WEBER.

20th November, 1914.

To His Excellency Sir Robert Chalmers, K.C.B., Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over the Island of Ceylon, with the Dependencies thereof. Motor Ambulance for use of Wounded British Troops.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,

THE members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce have subscribed the sum of Rs. 6,000, say £400, for the purpose of providing a motor ambulance for the wounded British troops, this being the amount required for each ambulance as stated in Lord Rothschild's appeal for funds to provide a supply of suitable vehicles.

Your Excellency having very kindly agreed to the sum of Rs. 6,000 in question being remitted home at par, for the purpose indicated, I am to-day sending a cheque for that amount to the Colonial Secretary, with the request that the remittance be wired home, the Chamber paying all cost of telegrams.

I have, &c.,

SIB,

Enclosure 7 in No. 40.

THE CEYLON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Sale and Export of Ceylon Produce.

F. M. SIMPSON,

Secretary.

Colombo, 17th November, 1914.

I AM instructed by the Committee to send you the following information, which His Excellency the Governor, in conversation with the Chairman of this Chamber, requested should be furnished.

During the week following the outbreak of war, the position from the point of view of the mercantile community of Ceylon looked very serious indeed, but, as a matter of fact, the trade of the Colony has so far been maintained in a manner which even the most sanguine dared not, at the outbreak of hostilities, consider possible.

A reference to the following comparative statement showing the prices obtain- ing for those products of Ceylon which represent by far the largest portion of the whole immediately before the outbreak of war, and the corresponding prices as at 10th instant, will show how much the producer and the merchant have to be thankful for, especially bearing in mind the abnormal times obtaining, and the difficulties which had to be met and overcome :-

Tea

Rubber-Arst quality

Copra

Cooo-nut oil

Average price—28th July Average price 10th November.

48 cents, par lb.

R.. 1.85

17

Ra. 67.25 per candy.

Rs. 517.5 per ton f.a.b.

444 cents. par lh. Re. 1.48

Ra. 80 per candy.

Ra. 550 per ton f.o.b.