Enclosure 5.
Head Quarters, 17th November, 1904.
HONG KONG,
12th November, 1904.
1.
2.
4.
7.
At 10.45 A.M., Sub-Lieutenant Fini appeared.
The statement marked "A" was read to him, and he stated it was a correct account of what passed.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini said he denied the authority of Major Saxton because he could not be under any foreign officer without directions from St. Petersburg. In answer to a question from me, he told me it was the "rule of his service" to acknowledge the authority of any foreign officer without instructions from St. Petersburg.
It was pointed out to Sub-Lieutenant Fini that he had been handed over by the Authorities in London to be dealt with by the Governor and his agents, as refugees to be interned during the Russo-Japanese war, and such agents were his superior officers.
It was also pointed out that his application for leave to go to Shanghai came before us and was not recommended because it was to seek the advice of the Russian Admiral at Shanghai, who had no authority in the matter. Sub-Lieutenant Fini said that this matter was forming the subject of correspondence between the British and Russian Governments.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini was made to distinctly understand that Major Saxton is his Commanding Officer, and that the orders of the Sergeant of the Guard cannot be altered, except that people passed in under written instructions or personal introduction of the Russian officer Commanding the refugees shall be permitted to do so by the Sergeant of the Guard. Sub-Lieutenant Fini was instructed that he is at liberty to make any protest he desires, but while doing so, he must obey the officer put over him, and that he is under Military control. He now quite understands his position and had nothing to say against it.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini was told that I understand his protest and consider that his reply to Major Saxton was in the nature of that protest, and not a breach of Military discipline. Sub-Lieutenant Fini now seemed to understand that his protest having been made, he should take orders from Major Saxton.
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Enclosure 5.
42642
Head Quasten 17 FC 04)
HOGE KONE,
rs office."
12th. November, 1904.
1.
2.
4.
7.
At 10.45 A.. bub-Lieutenant Fini appeared.
The statement marked "A" was read to him, and he stated it was a correct account of what passed.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini said he denied the authority of Major Saxton because he could not be under any foreign officer without directions from St. Petersburg. In answer to a ques- tion from me he told me it was the "rule of his service' to acknowledge the authority of any foreign cfficer without instructions from St. Petersburg.
nct
It was pointed out to Sub-Lieutenant Fin that he has been Landed over by the Authorities in London to be dealt with by the Governor and his agents, as refugees to be interned during the Husso-Japanese war, and such agents were his superior officers.
that his application for leave to go to Shanghai came before we and was not recommended because it was to seek the advice of the mussten Admiral at Shanghai, who had no authority in the matter. Sub-Lieutenant al said that this matter was forting the subject of correspondence between the British and Russian Governments.
Sub-Lieutenent Fini was rude to distinctly understand that Vajor Sexton is his Commanding Officer, and that the orders of the Sergeant of the Guard cannot be altered, except that people passed in under written instructions or personal in- troduction of the Russian officer Commanding the refugees shall be permitted to do so by the bergeant of the Guard. Sub-Lieutenant Fini was instructed that he is at liberty to make any protest he desires, out while doing so le must obey the officer put over hia, and that he is under Willtary control. He now quite understands his position and was no- thing to say against it.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini was told that I understand his protest and consider that his reply to Major Sexton was in the nature of that protest, and not a breach of N1litary discipline. Sub-Lieutenant Fini now seened to understand that his pro- test Laving been rade, he should take orders from Vajor
Sexton
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