CO885-9 — Page 160

SIR,

88

Enclosure 1 in No. 153.

Resident's Office, Labuan, March 30, 1905. OWING to the absence of his Excellency the Governor on sick leave, I have the honour to reply to the Managing Director's letter No. 65, dated the 10th February, referring to certain statements published in the Russian journal "Novoe Vremya" on the subject of Labuan being made a naval base by the Japanese fleet, and the interrup- tion of the cable.

1. The cable was interrupted between here and Singapore between the 28th December, 1904, and the 3rd January, 1905, but this was owing to some defect in the cable close to Singapore, and in no way connected with the Japanese fleet, as will be seen by attached copy of letter from Superintendent of Telegraphs here. The cable was in working order before the arrival of the Japanese vessels.

"

2. The converted Japanese cruisers "Hong Kong Maru" and "Nippon Maru did anchor off the port on the evening of the 3rd January last, leaving the next day at

noon.

3. His Majesty's ship "Rambler" was at anchor in port. at the time. The Captain of His Majesty's ship wired the Admiral at Hong Kong the arrival of the two vessels.

I have, &c.

W. H. HASTINGS,

H. G. Forbes, Esq.,

Secretary British North Borneo Company, 15, Leadenhall Street, E.C.

Deputy Governor.

89

Enclosure in No. 154.

The OFFICER ADMINISTERING, THE GOVERNMENT, British North Borneo, to Governor Sir JOHN ANDERSON.

(No. 125/05.) Your Excellency,

Government House, North Borneo, Labuan, March 28, 1905.

I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that at 7:30 P.M., 18th instant, four Japanese men-of-war, which proved to be the "Kasagi," carrying the flag of Vice- Admiral S. Dewa, the "Chitose," "America Maru," and the "Yawata Maru," entered Brunei Bay, and anchored just outside harbour limits.

Two officers landed and proceeded to the telegraph office. An officer called on me and informed me that the fleet were proceeding to sea at noon next day, and that the Admiral desired that the usual interchange of visits between shore and ships might be dispensed with.

The next day at noon the "Kasagi" saluted the flag, the shore battery returning the salute.

The fleet then proceeded to sea, leaving by the southern entrance.

I beg to confirm my telegram to your Excellency dated 19th instant. Persistent native rumours are current here that a large fleet of war-ships, believed to be Japanese, are off the vicinity of the island. I have as yet been unable to verify the rumours, but will cable your Excellency should they prove true.

I have, &c.

W. H. HASTINGS,

Officer Administering the Government of Labuan.

SIB,

March 30, 1905. In reply to your letter of to-day, I beg to inform you that the Singapore-Labuan cable was interrupted by our cable steamer "Magnet' on the afternoon of the 28th December, 1904.

Until the afternoon of the 3rd January, 1905, the "Magnet" was at work removing a fault close to Singapore. Communication with Singapore was maintained via Hong Kong,

I have, &c.

The Deputy Governor, Labuan.

14224.

No. 154.

J. C. HENDRY,

Superintendent.

14664.

No. 155.

FOREIGN OFFICE TO COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received May 3, 1905.)

THE Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, transmits herewith copy of the under-mentioned paper; relative to a' Russian Secret Agent and colliers.

Foreign Office,

May 2, 1905.

(No. 130.) SIB,

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON TO MR. LYTTELTON.

(Received April 29, 1905.)

[Copy to Foreign Office and Admiralty, May 9, 1905, L. F.]

Government House, Singapore,

April 5, 1905.

WITH reference to my telegram of the 19th of March "ultimo, repeating a message received from the Officer Administering the Government of British North Borneo reporting the visit of Japanese men-of-war to Labuan, I have the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a letter from that Officer confirming his telegram and giving further details of the visit.

I have, &c.

• No. 129.

JOHN ANDERSON.

Name and Date.

Description of Enclosure.

Subject.

Intelligence Officer, Singapore. (Tele- Steamer chartered by Russian Agent at

gram to Admiralty) May 1, 1905.

Penang. Colliers ateaming towards Saigon.

Enclosure in No. 155

Intelligence OFFICER, Singapore, to ADMIRALTY,

(May 1, 1905. 10 P.M.)

TELEGRAM.

27TH APRIL, Russian Secret Agent chartered small merchant steamer at Penang,

take him Andaman Islands. No cargo. Colombo informed.

Merchant steamer reports passing many colliers steaming towards Saigon from the south on 29th April.

[1185]

F

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

།། ། :། ། །

Reference :-

885

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

14481.

90