CO885-9 — Page 148

66

It will, of course, be necessary for you to use your discretion as to how far the evidence available justifies the treatment of any vessel as an attendant upon the Russian fleet.

6201.

I have, &c.

ALFRED LYTTELTON.

67

I am at the same time to suggest, for Mr. Secretary Lyttelton's consideration, that Sir H. McCallum should be instructed to consult in the first instance his own law advisers with regard to questions of this kind.

The Attorney-General of Natal has the advantage of being on the spot and of being fully acquainted with all the circumstances of each individual case--and be would doubtless, as a rule, be able to apply the broad principles which have already been indicated in the previous general instructions from time to time issued to the Governor to the facts of the particular matter.

Any specially difficult question as to which the Attorney-General of the Colony expressed doubt or desired confirmation of his opinion might continue to be referred home as heretofore.

I am, &c.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

السيسي

CO. 885/

b

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

C.0:, January 24, 1905.

F.O., January

25. 1905.

C.O., January

31, 1905.

C.O.,

February

1, 1905.

F.O.,

February

2, 1905,

C.O..

February 10, 1905.

C...

February 22, 1905.

SIR,

(Confidential.)

No. 118.

COLONIAL OFFICE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, March 1, 1905. WITH reference to the correspondence noted in the margin respecting the proceedings at Durban of certain vessels known to have been engaged in carrying coal, &c., for the Russian fleet, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Lansdowne, a copy of a despatcht from the Governor of Natal, forwarding copies of the written assurances given by the Captains of the "Aberlour" and "Tapton," that they will proceed to Falmouth or some other port in the United Kingdom, with correspondence arising thereon, and copies of the newspaper articles in which the master of one of the vessels describes the coaling of the fleet.

6752.

No. 119.

I am, &c.

FRED. GRAHAM.

6752.

(Paraphrase.)

FOREIGN OFFICE TO COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received March 2, 1905.).

SIR,

Foreign Office, March 2, 1905. I AM directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo,‡ enclosing copies of further correspondence with the Governor of Natal, on the subject of the treatment of certain vessels which applied at Durban for bunker coal, and which were suspected of being in attendance on the Russian fleet.

The proceedings of these vessels, i.e., the "Ras Dara," "William Storrs," and "St. Ninian," would appear to be not free from suspicion; but, as at present advised, his Lordship does not see that it is possible to take any steps in respect of them.

Should it be ultimately ascertained that, instead of proceeding to Batavia, they deliver their cargo to the Russian fleet at Madagascar or elsewhere, the circumstances would have to be considered by His Majesty's Government if and when they return to this country for further supplies.

Since the above was written, your letter of the 27th ultimo,§ enclosing copies of further telegrams from Sir H. McCallum on the subject of these vessels has been received. In view of the further information therein contained, I am to suggest that the Colonial authorities should point out to the applicants that the former supply of coal was given to them at their request, in order that they might be enabled to proceed to Batavia; but that, instead of proceeding on their voyage, after having obtained coal, they have lingered in Durban roads for so long a time as, in the absence of some satisfactory explanation, to throw great doubt on the bona fides of their proceedings; that a further supply will, therefore, only be granted to them on their signing an undertaking that they will at once proceed direct to Batavia, and will not discharge their cargo until their arrival there. Should they demand bunker coal for some neutral port other than Batavia, it should only be supplied subject to a similar under- taking being furnished.

Nos. 66, 68, 77: L F. transmitting copy of No. 78, and Nos. 79, 92, and 108. † No. 115.

+ No. 108.

No. 115.

No. 120.

NATAL.

F. A. CAMPBELL.

MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR H. E. McCALLUM. (Sent 6:40 P.M., March 3, 1905.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 124.]

A

THE vessels referred to in your telegram No. 1 of the 25th February should be informed that former supply was given to them at their request, in order that they might be enabled to proceed to Batavia; but that, instead of proceeding on their voyage, after having obtained coal, they have lingered in Durban roads for so long a time as, in the absence of some satisfactory explanation, to throw great doubt on the bona fides of their proceedings; that a further supply will, therefore, only be granted to them on their signing an undertaking that they will at once proceed direct to Batavia, and will not discharge their cargo until their arrival there. Should they demand bunker coal for some neutral port other than Batavia, it should only be supplied subject to a similar undertaking being furnished.

6658.

SIR,

No. 121.

NATAL.

MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR H. E. MCCALLUM.

(General. Confidential.)

Downing Street, March 4, 1905.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 8th ultimot with regard to the treatment of the German ship "Dacia," and to request you to acquaint your Government that information has been received to the effect that this vessel arrived on the 26th January at Tamatave from Nossibé, where it had given coal to the Russian fleet; and that she had still in her some 2,000 tons of coal.

I have, &c.

ALFRED LYTTELTON.

[1185]

• No. 114.

+ No. 87.

K 2