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| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

40572.

16

No. 24 B.

FOREIGN OFFICE TO COLONIAL OFFICE

(Received December 1, 1904.)

SIR,

Foreign Office, November 30, 1904. I AM directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, enclosing the paraphrase of a telegram which has been received from the Governor of Ceylon. Sir Henry Blake has been asked by the Russian Consul, in view of the possibility of a part of the Baltic Fleet calling at Colombo, whether Russian men-of-war should be supplied at that, port with provisions and coal.

As at present advised, Lord Lansdowne considers that the answer to Sir Henry Blake's question should be in the negative. The coaling of the fleet in British or Colonial ports has, as Sir Henry observes, been forbidden under the Circular of the 9th August. As to provisions, it seems extremely improbable that any Russian vessel should be urgently in need of these for the immediate necessities of her crew, especially if regard be had to the probability that supplies of this kind would probably be avail- able from other ships of the fleet or from the transports accompanying it. On the other hand, it would clearly be inconsistent with the strict observance of neutrality by this country to allow the Russian fleet to obtain at a British port an additional stock of supplies for use during hostile operations.

I am, &c.

40572.

No. 25.

CEYLON.

F. A. CAMPBELL.

MR. LYTTELTON to GoVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE.

(Sent 3:20 P.M., December 1, 1904.)

TELEGRAM.

In answer to your telegram of 24th November,† Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs considers that supply of provisions for use during hostile operations should be prohibited equally with coal.

1039

S.

No. 25 A.

COLONIAL OFFICE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

[Answered by No. 28.]

SIR,

Downing Street, December 2, 1904. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 25th and your reply of the 30th ultimo, respecting the inquiry by the Governor of Ceylon as to supplying provisions to Russian men-of-war at Colombo, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to request you to state to the Marquess of Lansdowne that a telegram has been received from the Officer administering the Government of the Cape of Good Hope, requesting a definite ruling as to the line to be taken in the event of the Russian squadron (1) seeking permission to enter Table Bay or any other port in the Colony; (2) wishing to send leave parties on shore; and (3) applying for supplies of fresh water.

I am to request the earliest possible intimation as to the answer which should, in Lord Lansdowne's opinion, be returned to this inquiry.

I am, &c.

40196.

17

No. 26.

MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNORS OF CERTAIN COLONIES. [As in No. 24 A.]

(General. Secret.)

Downing Street, December 3, 1904.

SIR,

WITH reference to my Secret telegram of the 26th ultimo, a paraphrase of which is herewith enclosed, on the subject of the supply of coal to vessels accompanying the Russian Baltic Squadron, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your informa- tion and guidance, a copy of a letterf which has been received from the Foreign Office defining the position which should be taken up in this matter. I have, &c.

41292.

No. 26 A.

ALFRED LYTTELTON.

MR. LYTTELTON TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE CAPE AND NATAL,

(Sent 2:45 P.M., December 5, 1904.)

TELEGRAM.

(December 5, [Cape. No. 1.] Matter most urgent.)

RUSSIAN Ambassador states that Admiral in command of Baltic fleet telegraphs that fishing boats in South African waters constantly cross the line of his squadron. at night without lights, thus putting him in an extremely difficult position, which might lead to deplorable results. You should ask your Ministers, if possible, to take steps to insure that British fishing boats carry lights, in order to avoid possibility of regrettable misunderstanding.

41292.

No. 27.

MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNORS OF SIERRA LEONE, GOLD COAST, GAMBIA, LAGOS, AND THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

(Sent 5:40 P.M., December 5, 1904.)

TELEGRAM.

(December 5. Matter most urgent.)

RUSSIAN Ambassador states that Admiral in command of Baltic fleet telegraphs that fishing boats in African waters constantly cross the line of his squadron at night without lights, thus putting him in an extremely difficult position, which might lead to deplorable results. In view of possibility of further Russian men-of-war entering West African waters, you should, as far as possible, take steps to insure that British fishing boats carry lights, in order to avoid risk of regrettable misunderstanding.

• No. 24 A.

↑ No. 23 A.

H. BERTRAM COX.

• No. 23.

+ No. 19.

† Nos. 23 and 24 B

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