CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3] — Page 204

202

course world at once proosed to Shanghai, The question arises whether coats

are contraband

war;

of we

if they

are

the

vessel and her cargo would be liable to seizure should the Frouch wercise their " Right of Search", "From the most recent

advice that we

can

obtain on the subject,

it would appear the question of coal. being classed as contraband has never been settled by Europeau Nations. In fact during 1859, and again in 1870, "France declared that coal was not Contraband, though Exgland stopped supplies of coal to the Frouch fleet North Sea, but she permitted its export to France, this latter ceation meeting. with strong protect from boniany. The distinction being, in the first

coal was to be used

care

in the

the

1 for actual purposes

of

>

of warfare,

whereas in the second it

would be applied to industrial purposes.

Seeing

the uncertainty which

exists on this most important question,

as it does the Trade of Hongkong

affecting

and the Treaty Pork of China - the

latter are

dependent upon their coal supplies for their commercial existence. - we will be glad if you will kindly

us an authoritative opinion ~

give

whether coal is contraband when it is not intended within the knowledge of the Carriers to be used

1 for belligerent

purposes.

Should there be any

doubt with

we words

your advisers on the question, respectfully suggest that the opinion of the Home Government be obtained by telegraph, The

urgency of the

the case

truky

be