1000
S.
10
No. 11.
NATAL
MR. LYTTELTON TO ACTING GOVERNOR SIR H. BALE,
(Paraphrase.)
(Sent 4.10 P.M., August 23, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 14.]
REPORT by telegram whether statement is correct that British steamer "Comedian" has been visited by a vessel belonging to Russian Volunteer fleet. Also particularly whether it was the "Smolensk " that visited British steamer.
1000
S.
No. 12.
30091,
11
No. 15.
CAPE; NATAL,
MR. LYTTELTON TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE CAPE. (Sent 7 P.M., August 25, 1904.)
(Matter most urgent.)
TELEGRAM.
PLEASE instruct port authorities at any port where Russian Volunteer ships "Smolensk or "Petersburg" may by any possibility touch to deliver at once to either or both of them following message in cypher from Russian Government :-
Begins: [Forty-four groups of five figures each.] Ends. Please repeat Natal at once.
30097.
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS.*
(Paraphrase.)
(Sent 4 P.M., August 23, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
You should refuse supplies to any steamer belonging to Russian Volunteer fleet which may apply for permission to coal, and refer home at once for instructions, giving fullest available particulars in so doing.
29662.
No. 13.
MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS.+ (Sent 1:15 P.M., August 24, 1904.)
(August 24.)
TELEGRAM.
ALL belligerent ships not coming under description in my telegram of 9th August are to be treated in accordance with Rule 3 in enclosure to my Circular despatch of 12th February.§
1001
S.
No. 14.
NATAL
No. 16.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON. (Sent August 27, 1904.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
As regards the second sentence of your telegram of 10th August, His Majesty's Government would not recognize such a claim.
As to latter part of your telegram, position is somewhat altered by the assurance given to the Porte by Russia that vessels of the Volunteer Fleet will not change their flag or act as belligerents until end of voyage. As, however, there may be doubts as to the character of a vessel, the Captain should be required to sign a declaration as to the destination of his ship and as to the nature of her employment during the whole of her intended voyage before he is allowed to take in coal or cargo or is given any facilities.
It is not thought desirable to use the special powers given by the Foreign Enlist- ment Act, and if the course suggested is adopted, it will probably not be necessary to do so.
39304.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
i
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR H. BALE TO MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 5:30 P.M., August 24, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
(Paraphrase.)
AT 6 A.M. on the 21st August Russian Volunteer steamer stopped British vessel "Comedian," from Glasgow and Liverpool, with general cargo for Durban, off Bashee River 10 miles from shore, 40 miles [on] this side of East London, and detained her one and a-half hours while her papers were overlooked. Matter has been reported to High Commissioner, Governor of Cape Colony, and Admiral at Simonstown. As it was not quite dawn, Captain of “Comedian" was unable to see name of cruiser. He knows "Smolensk " well, and says it was boat with some similar build, if it was not she.
Sent to the Cape, Natal, Southern Nigeria, Lagos, Gold Coast, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
Sent to all Maritime Colonies and Protectorates.
See No. 10.
No. 2.
(Paraphrase.)
No. 17.
MAURITIUS.
GOVERNOR SIR C. BOYLE TO MR. LYTTELTON, (Received 7.50 A.M., November 17, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 22.]
THE Officer Commanding the Troops reports the receipt of cypher instructions from the War Office, to take precautionary measures in view of the approach of the Russian fleet. I have not seen message conveying the instructions, and I ask that if any responsibility is with me I may be kept fully instructed.
• No. 10A.
[1185]
C 2Page 121
39447
S.
(Paraphrase.)
12
No. 18.
NATAL.
GOVERNOR TO MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received 6:10 F.M., November 18, 1904.)
(November 18. No. 1.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 24 ▲.]
GERMAN colliers flying German flag, and practically attached to the Russian squadron, coming round Cape, may possibly call at Durban in order to be refilled with Natal coal.
It may be taken for granted that belligerent vessels on the high seas will be supplied with this coal. Are these colliers themselves to be regarded by me as belligerent vessels, or strictly as commercial? I am advised that, in the latter case, it is quite in order for them to call at the port and purchase coal, and for our merchants to sell the same, without any breach of neutrality being committed.
40035.
No. 19.
CEYLON.
1034
S.
(Paraphrase.)
18
No. 21.
SIERRA LEONE.
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR PROBYN. (Sent 5-25 P.M., November 24, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
FOLLOWING telegram has been sent to Officer Commanding Troops :-
Begins: Having regard to the possibility of eventualities arising out of the approach of the Baltic fleet, you are directed to take such precautionary measures as you may consider necessary against the possible tampering with coast defence armaments in your command. A practice mobilization should be arranged, and ordered in advance, so as to be mobilized when the fleet approaches. The creation of a scare should be avoided. Ends.
1034 S.
No. 22.
MAURITIUS.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE TO MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received 12.20 P.M., November 24, 1904.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 25.]
I HAVE been asked by the Russian Consul whether Russian men-of-war calling at Colombo will be supplied with provisions and coal, as some of the Baltic fleet may possibly call here. Your Circular despatch of 9th August covers the question of coal, but they may claim right of provision under Neutrality Proclamation. Should provisions be refused to Baltic fleet, or to any Russian men-of-war which may call here ?
I have replied to the Russian Consul to the effect that nothing is known here as to whether the Baltic fleet will call.
(Paraphrase.)
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR C. BOYLE. (Sent 5'25 P.M., November 24, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
FOLLOWING telegrams have been sent to Officer Commanding Troops :- Begins Having regard to the possibility of eventualities arising out of the approach of the Baltic fleet, you are directed to take such precautionary measures as you may consider necessary against the possible tampering with coast defence armaments in your command. A practice mobilization should be arranged, and ordered in advance, so as to be mobilized when the flect approaches. The creation of a scare should be avoided. Ends.
Other
Begins: Part of the Russian fleet left Dakar 17th for the Bight of Benin.
squadron still at Crete. Merely general suspicion that defences might be tam- pered with. No special ground for such anticipation.
Ends.
1034 S.
No. 20.
CAPE.
1034
S.
No. 22 A.
ST. HELENA.
PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference :-
MR. LYTTELTON TO ACting Governor BROOK.
(Sent 5.25 P.M., November 24, 1904.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 24.]
FOLLOWING telegram has been sent to Officer Commanding Troops, South Africa :-
t
Begins: Having regard to the possibility of eventualities arising out of the approach of the Baltic fleet, you are directed to take such precautionary measures as you may think necessary against possible tampering with the coast defence arma- ments in your charge. A practice mobilization of the Cape Town defences should be arranged, and ordered in advance, so as to be mobilized when the squadron approaches. The creation of any scare should be avoided.
No. 10.
Ends.
(Paraphrase.)
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR GALLWEY. (Sent 5-25 P.M., November 24, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
FOLLOWING telegrams have been sent to Officer Commanding Troops :- Begins: Having regard to the possibility of eventualities arising out of the approach
of the Baltic fleet, you are directed to take such precautionary measures as you may corsider necessary against the possible tampering with coast defence armaments in your command: A practice mobilization should be arranged, and ordered in advance, so as to be mobilized when the fleet approaches. The creation of a scare should be avoided. Ends.
Begins: Baltic squadron left Dakar on the 17th. Destination the Bight of Benia.
It is unlikely to approach St. Helena. Ends.
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