CO885-24 — Page 60

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

། ། ། ། ། mhümumi miCO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-| COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRESSENOT TO

108

CEYLON.

I know her feelings enough to be sure that she will give no trouble whatever to Your Excellency in this matter.

SIR,

With profound respect I have the honour to be, &c.,

G. ROBICHEZ, S.J., Administrator Apostolic of the Diocese of Trincomalee,

Batticaloa.

Baptist Mission House, Colombo,

23rd November, 1914.

I HAVE the honour to state that I know Miss Schmidt and Miss Kloss, of Dalugama, Kelaniya, who are German subjects. They are engaged in teaching Sinhalese Bible women, and are carrying on their work peacefully as though no I know them so well that I will hold myself war existed between the two nations. responsible for their conduct, that they will in no way assist the enemy or try to influence any British subject in favour of Germany. I shall be glad to know at an early date whether Government will accept me as being responsible for them, so that I may inform the ladies in question.

Thanking you in anticipation,

E. B. Denham, Esq.,

Secretariat,

Colombo.

I am, &c.,

JOHN A. EWING, Chairman of the

Baptist Missionary Society, Ceylon.

The American Consulate, Colombo,

19th November, 1914.

SIR,

WITH reference to the case of Miss Anna Hoffmann, I have the honour to state that Rev. G. G. Brown, head of the American Mission at Vaddukodai, Jaffna, called at the Consulate to-day, explaining the situation to me.

I may state, at the outset, that Rev. G. G. Brown is a Britisher, i.e., Canadian, hence his statements in this case would in no wise be made in any manner what- soever to prejudice British interests. Rev. Brown has explained to me that Miss Hoffmann came to the American Mission several years ago, and was employed in the capacity of housekeeper and to have charge of the sewing department. She is not a regular teacher in the school, the nature of her work being rather that of looking after the food supply of the mission.

Rev. Brown has talked the situation over with Miss Hoffmann, and she has expressed the willingness to sign any parole or pledge to maintain strict neutrality in any of her actions or expressions to others during the war. Rev. Brown is personally willing to be responsible for her carrying out such a pledge.

As a specific instance of Miss Hoffmann's attitude I may state Rev. Brown informs me that, a few weeks ago, a concert was given in Jaffna by the girls of the On this occasion Miss mission school to raise funds for British war purposes. Hoffmann not only purchased a ticket and attended the concert but assisted the girls in preparing for it, because she wished in no wise to give the impression that she was opposing the interests of those with whom she was associated.

I do not wish to convey that the idea has been imparted to me by Rev. Brown that Miss Hoffmann is not German at heart, because she is; but neither Rev. Brown nor any member of the mission has detected her offending in any manner She sees it to her whatsoever by any outward expressions of pro-Germanism. best interests to maintain a non-committal attitude in this respect.

I inquired from Rev. Brown whether he thought Miss Hoffmann might be transferred to a mission on neutral territory. He replied that the only mission on neutral territory, since Turkey has become a belligerent, is China, and that arrangements could not possibly be made to send her there.

Hoping that the Ceylon Government may find it feasible to permit Miss Hoff- mann to remain at the American Mission, placing upon her any such restrictions as may seem fit,

The Honourable

the Colonial Secretary,

Colombo.

I have, &c.,

W. A. LEONARD, Consul for the United States of America.

107

CEYLON.

B.M.S. High School, Matale,

1st December, 1914. DEAR MR. DENHAM,

THANK you for your letter. We think it is best to accept the responsibility of Miss Kranze remaining here. We undertake that she will not teach anything that could be objected to, and that she will not give cause of complaint in any way. Also we undertake to submit the holiday plans for Government's approval.

Yours, &c.,

SIR,

THIRZA S. R. COLLIER. Wana Rajah Dickoya, 15th November, 1914.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter No. 700, and in reply beg to state I am prepared to be entirely responsible for Miss Janher, my German nurse, during the continuance of the war.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Colombo.

I am, &c.,

M. DUNN.

Ardlaw Estate, Agra Patnas,

16th November, 1914. SIR,

I BEG to acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of your communication dated 13th November, 1914 (but only received yesterday), and to express my gratitude to His Excellency the Governor for his leniency in allowing Miss Nilla Walker to remain in my household.

1. I hereby undertake to make myself responsible for Miss Walker's conduct and neutrality during the continuance of the war, and bind myself that she shall not leave this estate or this district without my full and complete knowledge, and then only if on a matter of immediate necessity pertaining to health.

2. I hereby also undertake to give due notice to the police at Agra Patnas, and also at whatever place she may go to, should it be necessary for her to leave here even for a few hours.

8. If necessary I undertake to supervise all her correspondence, and can furnish a specimen of her handwriting. I shall esteem it a favour if you would advise ne whether this latter course is necessary. I intend to warn the postmaster here to post no letters from this estate which are not duly entered in the Tappal book.

4. In conclusion, I need only say that, should I suspect or find Miss Walker guilty of the slightest violation of neutrality and good faith, I shall unhesitatingly do my duty as a loyal subject of His Majesty irrespective of personal feelings

or convenience.

To the Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Colombo.

I am, &c.,

WINIFRED TRANCHELL.

3, Baillie Street, Colombo, Ceylon,

81st October, 1914.

SIR,

WITH reference to your letter No. 519/W, of the 27th instant, addressed to Mrs. Dohme, I beg to inform you that I shall be responsible for her good conduct —and that she is under my care and protection.

I am,

&c.,

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

DEAR SIR,

Arthur ALVIB.

Keston, Colombo, 29th October, 1914.

In reply to your letter No. 524, dated 27th October, I can inform you that I have received from Miss Herrold, my German governess--who in a Bavarian—a promise not to communicate with any other German subject in Ceylon and to honourably keep her parole. I will be responsible for her good conduct, and should I at any time have reason to suspect it I will immediately inform the authorities.

I am, do..

Eva WaldoGE. The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Ceylon.

}Page 61

SIB,

108

CEYLON.

The Residency, Galle, 28th October, 1914. WITH reference to your letter No. 523, of the 27th instant, I have the houour to state that I accept responsibility for the good conduct of my German governess while she continues to be a member of my household.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Colombo.

Enclosure 2 in No. 48.

I am, &c.,

R. B. HELLINGS.

EXTRACT FROM "TIMES OF CEYLON," TUESDay, 1st DecemBER, 1914.

GERMAN INTERksts in CEYLON: A MATTER FOR INQUIHY.

To the Editor of the Manchester Courier.

SIR-The facts stated by your correspondent, Mr. J. W. Worley, are not only true as regards German monopoly of the British market for oils that are the raw material for margarine and the nut butters of the confectionery and chocolate makers' trades, but they are also true with regard to the copra-the dried karnal of the coco-nut industry itself. Take, for instance, the case of Ceylon. According to official returns, the export of copra for the first six months of the year current were in respect of the two countries as follows:-Great Britain, 500

The Germans ewts.; Germany, 810,491 cwte.

are not only the largest shippers of copra in the island, they also own and run the most up-to-date oil mills in Ceylon. Accordingly, the Gennan community in Colombo is one of the richess, as it is one of the most exclusive, in the East.

Nor, strange as the statement may appear, has the war made any material difference to that community. They are still permitted to trade and keep their works going, while the Gurman

"Emden commerce-destroyer

bangs about in the offing or around the low-lying Lacadive and Maldive Islands waiting to snap up with well-calculated discrimination the richly laden beats issuing from Colombo harbour. In this connexion, it is a fact that one of the largest German factories in Colombo is situated within a few hundred yards of the Government wireless station.

1701

No. 44.

Yours, do.,

WILLIAM WICKERLEY. 85, Dunster House, Mincing Lane, E.C.,

90th October, 1914.

109

CEYLON.

(e) Your telegram of the 11th December, allowing the 8.8.

to ship capra up to 5,300 tons for Aarhus oilworks.

The Principal Collector of Customs has been instructed accordingly.

Vinstra

"

(f) Your telegram of the 12th December, stating that the War Office propose to offer a temporary commission in the Royal Engineers to Mr. A. L. Cook, engineer, Postal Telegraphs.

A reply will be sent shortly.

(g) Your telegram of the 12th December, informing me that applica- tions to ship rubber direct to France may be entertained.

The necessary publicity has been given to this intimation.

(A) Your telegram of the 14th December, relative to a cargo of plumbago bought by Pettinos Brothers, of New York, in Ceylon.

A reply will be sent as soon as certain inquiries that I am making have been

completed.

2. On the 12th December I sent you a telegram as to the disposal of the cargo

of the prise ships "Fürth" and "Australia," and on the 16th December I sent you

a further telegram as to the cargo of these ships and of the "Trifels."

3.

With reference to paragraph 1 (c) of my Confidential despatch of the 10th December,† I telegraphed to you on the 14th December that I proposed to meet all claims for separation allowances of the Ceylon contingent at British rates from the funds of the Colony.

"

4. Referring to paragraph 1 (e) of the same despatch, I sent particulars of

Moltkefels the prize ships "Steinturm "and

by telegraph on 12th December.* 5. In continuation of paragraph 5 of the same despatch, I enclose copies of letters sent by me to the Archbishop of Colombo, the Bishop of Jaffna, and the Administrator Apostolic of the Diocese of Trincomalee, accepting their undertaking to be responsible for certain nuns of German nationality.

6. With reference to paragraph 1 (d) of my Confidential despatch of the 3rd December, I telegraphed to you on the 10th December that Lieutenant Durham was unable to take up the commission offered to him in the South Staffordshire Regiment. In the same telegram I nominated Mr. L. E. Campbell for a commission.

I enclose a copy of a letter of explanation from Lieutenant Durham, 7. A further remittance of £5,000 was sent to the Prince of Wales's Fund on the 9th December.

I have, &c.,

ROBERT CHALMERS,

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:-

MC.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRÁCS KNOT TO

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 12th January, 1915.)

(Confidential.)

SIR,

The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 17th December, 1914. In continuation of my Confidential despatch of the 10th instant,* I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the following telegraphic despatches :-

(a) Your telegram of the 9th December, instructing me that cargo now on the high seas belonging to Basra merchants is not to be treated as enemy

cargo.

The necessary directions have been given to the officers concerned.

(b) Your cipher telegram of the 9th December, on the enbject of a ship- ment of cotton to Spain by the u.s. “Chindwara," so be transhipped at Colombo; in which you also intimate that shipments of cotton to that country may be allowed to proceed.

I have replied, giving the information desired, by my telegram of the 17th December. I have also caused the Principal Collector of Customs to be instructed as to future shipments.

(0) Your telegram of the 9th December, relative to the case of J. Teurial,

a native of Rhodes, detained here as a prisoner of war.

In accordance with your instructions this man has been allowed to contime his journey to Egypt.

(a) Your cipher telegram of the 10th December, relative to the convey- ance of the Ceylonese contingent to Egypt.

MOST REVEREND SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 44.

Governor, &c.

The Queen's House, Colombo, 16th December, 1914.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of Your Grace's letter of the 2nd December, 1914, and to state that the Bishop of Jaffna and the Administrator Apostolic have given the required undertakings to be responsible for the German and Austrian sisters within their respective dioceses.

2. I note that there are four more German sisters in Your Grace's diocese besides those mentioned in your letter of the 6th November, and I accept with pleasure the joint undertaking of Your Grace and the Mother Superior to be responsible for these sisters.

The Most Reverend Dr. A. Coudert, O.M.I.,

Archbishop of Colombo.

I have, &c.,

ROBERT CHALMERS,

Governor.

* #9718: not printed.

† No. 49.

1 No. 48.

• No. -48.