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policemen and myself went on board again and explained to the lieutenant in charge that he was not allowed to take anything on board without a written permission from the Master Attendant; the lieutenant told us "that what he was taking on board was not contraband, as it was only bananas and preserved pineapples."

7:25 P.M. reported the matter to the Master Attendant.

13579.

March 16, 1905.

13221.

(Paraphrase.)

No. 149.

MAURITIUS.

J. WILLOCK,

Boarding Officer.

MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR C.. BOYLE.

(Sent 3.10 P.M., April 22, 1905.)

TELEGRAM.

[Copy to Foreign Office, April 25, 1905, L. F., and to Board of Trade, April 24, 1905, L. F.]

[Answered by Nos. 157 and 175.]

As regards treatment of German steam-ship "Juliette," referred to in your telegram of 19th April," you should apply general principles laid down in my Circular despatches of 3rd December, 23rd January, and 20th February,† in each particular case, after consultation, should you deem it advisable, with your legal adviser. Coal should be refused if you are satisfied that the ship is taking orders from any one in the Russian Naval Service. Proceedings might no doubt be taken against the deserters under Merchant Shipping Act, § 223 (2), but in view of terms of the Agreement with Germany dated 5th November, 1879-enclosed in Circular despatch of 22nd April, 18801-the German Consul is not entitled to invoke the aid of the local authorities with a view to the members of the crew who are British subjects being put back on board the vessel, as the stipulations of the said Agreement do not apply to subjects of the country where they desert,

rr

87

No. 151.

HONG KONG.

GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN TO MR. LYTTELTON.

(Received 8.5 P.M., April 23, 1905)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 161.]

REFERRING to your telegram of the 22nd April, neither vessel detained. Florida is in ballast. Agents for "Tolosan" with cargo of Welsh coal partly shipped here unable to satisfy me that coal was not destined for one of belligerent fleets in neighbourhood, and therefore that vessel was not in service of such fleet. They were therefore warned of consequences of infringement of Foreign Enlistment Act, and ship did not apply for clearance. If she discharges cargo or satisfies me as above, she will be cleared anywhere. As you have been informed, export of coal requires permit under local enactment. Principle followed by Government of Hong Kong is not to interfere with ordinary trade in contraband coal to ports of belligerents, but to prevent use of this harbour as base for coaling belligerent ships in neighbourhood.

13579.

SIR,

No. 152.

COLONIAL OFFICE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

[Answered by No. 158.]

Downing Street,

April 25, 1905. WITH reference to the inquiry made by the Secretary to the German Legation on the 20th instant, respecting the alleged detention of the steam-ships "Florida" and Tolosan" by the Colonial authorities at Hong Kong, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquess of Lansdowne, a copy of a telegram which has been received from the Governor of Hong Kong, in reply to one addressed to him on the 22nd instant* on the subject.

I am, &c.

C. P. LUCAS.

14174.

13407.

No. 150.

HONG KONG.

MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN.

(Sent 5:10 P.M., April 22, 1905.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 151.]

GERMAN Government anxious to know reasons for detention of steam-ships "Florida and "Tolosan" by Colonial authorities. Telegraph reply.

11

SIR,

'No. 153.

THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY TO COLONIAL OFFICE

(Received April 29, 1905.)

[Copy to Foreign Office, May 11, 1905, L. F.]

15, Leadenhall Street, E.C.,

April 28, 1905.

on the

REFERRING to the last paragraph of my letter of the 8th February last,§ relativo to an article which was published in the Russian journal "Novoe Vremya' 18th January, representing that the Island of Labuan was serving as a base for Japanese war-ships, and that telegraphic communication with the island had been interrupted, I am directed to send you the enclosed copy of a letter on the subject from the officer in charge of Labuan, together with a copy of its enclosure.

• No. 144.

↑ Nos. 26, 64 ▲, and 105.

‡ Not printed.

I am, &c.

HARINGTON G. FORBES,

Secretary

• No. 150.

See No. 146.

‡ No. 151.

§ No. 88.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O 885

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

9PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON