CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 715

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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C

C. O. 21935

711

RELD

TELEGRAM

From the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong 20 041

Secretary of State, London, dated 9th May, 1904.

Paraphrase.

"In reply to your telegram of 7th May the following are the facts of the case.

"The Proclamation against the export of Arms and Munitions of War from this Colony is still in force for reasons explained in Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 375 of 31st July, 1903.

"But permits to export are granted by this Government as a matter of course when it is shown that the arms or munitions are to be landed at ports other than those in South China. The local Agents of Nobels Explosives Company asked to be allowed to send by a Japanese Merchant Steamer to Japan over 10,000 cases of Dynamite etc., and permission was granted.

"Afterwards the Russian Consul asked at an interview with me that the export of these explosives should be prevented. He urged that the export was a breach of neutrality and drew attention to the fact that this Government prohibited the export of munitions of war to South China.

"I declined and pointed out the International Law on the subject and explained that the export of arms to South China was controlled long before the present war for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Colony itself.

"The Agents who sold the explosives state that the consignment was not an unusual one for trade purposes.

"The Ship left on the 30th of April and on the Same day the Russian Consul protested in writing. The protest and full particulars were sent to you by mail on the 7th instant."

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C C. O. 21935 711 RELD TELEGRAM From the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong 20 041 Secretary of State, London, dated 9th May, 1904. Paraphrase. "In reply to your telegram of 7th May the following are the facts of the case. "The Proclamation against the export of Arms and Munitions of War from this Colony is still in force for reasons explained in Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 375 of 31st July, 1903. "But permits to export are granted by this Government as a matter of course when it is shown that the arms or munitions are to be landed at ports other than those in South China. The local Agents of Nobels Explosives Company asked to be allowed to send by a Japanese Merchant Steamer to Japan over 10,000 cases of Dynamite etc., and permission was granted. "Afterwards the Russian Consul asked at an interview with me that the export of these explosives should be prevented. He urged that the export was a breach of neutrality and drew attention to the fact that this Government prohibited the export of munitions of war to South China. "I declined and pointed out the International Law on the subject and explained that the export of arms to South China was controlled long before the present war for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Colony itself. "The Agents who sold the explosives state that the consignment was not an unusual one for trade purposes. "The Ship left on the 30th of April and on the Same day the Russian Consul protested in writing. The protest and full particulars were sent to you by mail on the 7th instant."
Baseline (Original)
COPY. C C. O. 21935 711 RELD TELEGRAM From the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong 20 041 Secretary of State, London, dated 9th. May, 1904. Paraphrase. "In reply to your telegram of 7th. May the fol- lowing are the facts of the case. "The Proclamation against the export of Arms and Munitions of War from this Colony is still in force for reasons explain- ed in Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 375 of 31st. July, 1903. "But permits to export are granted by this Government as a matter of course when it is shewn that the arms or munitions are to be landed at ports other than those in South China. The local Agents of Nobels Explosives Company asked to be allowed to send by a Japanese Merchant Steamer to Japan over 10,000 cases of Dynamite etc., and permission was granted. "Afterwards the Russian Consul asked at an inter view with me that the export of these explosives should be prevented. He urged that the export was a breach of neutrality and drew attention to the fact that this Government prohibited the export of munitions of war to South China. "I declined and pointed out the International La on the subject and explained that the export of arms to South China was controlled long before the present war for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Colony itself. "The Agents who sold the explosives state that the consignment was not an unusual one for trade purposes. "The Ship left on the 30th, of April and on the Same day the Russian Consul protested in writing. The protest and full particulars were sent to you by mail on the 7th. instant."
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COPY.

C

C. O. 21935

711

RELD

TELEGRAM

From the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong 20 041

Secretary of State, London, dated 9th. May, 1904.

Paraphrase.

"In reply to your telegram of 7th. May the fol-

lowing are the facts of the case.

"The Proclamation against the export of Arms and Munitions of War from this Colony is still in force for reasons explain-

ed in Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 375 of 31st. July, 1903.

"But permits to export are granted by this

Government as a matter of course when it is shewn that the arms or

munitions are to be landed at ports other than those in South China. The

local Agents of Nobels Explosives Company asked to be allowed to send by a Japanese Merchant Steamer to Japan over 10,000 cases of Dynamite etc.,

and permission was granted.

"Afterwards the Russian Consul asked at an inter

view with me that the export of these explosives should be prevented. He

urged that the export was a breach of neutrality and drew attention to

the fact that this Government prohibited the export of munitions of war

to South China.

"I declined and pointed out the International La

on the subject and explained that the export of arms to South China was

controlled long before the present war for the purpose of protecting the

interests of the Colony itself.

"The Agents who sold the explosives state that

the consignment was not an unusual one for trade purposes.

"The Ship left on the 30th, of April and on the

Same day the Russian Consul protested in writing. The protest and full

particulars were sent to you by mail on the 7th. instant."

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