Enclosure *
347
Head Quarters Office,
Hongkong, 18th November, 1904.
1.
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 Sexton 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 our service" not 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 a refugee to be interned during the Russo-Japanese war, and that such agents were his Superior officers.
That his application for Leave to go to Shanghai came before me 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 told to distinctly understand that Major 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 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 has nothing 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 Military discipline.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini now seemed to understand that his protest having been made, he should take orders from Major Sexton.
Enclosure *
347
Head Quarters Office,
Hongkong, 18tL. November, 1904.
1.
4.
7.
AL 10.45 A.4. bus-Lieutenant Find appeared.
the statesint aurked "A" was read to him, and he stated it was a correct account or what passed.
Sub-Lieutenant Firi said be denied the authority of Major Sexton because he could not be under any Horeign Officer without directions from St. Petersburg. In answer to a ques- tion from me he told me it was the "rule of us service" Gct to acknowledge the authority of any foreign officer without instructions from ot. Petersburg.
it as pointed out to Sub-Lieutenant fini that he has been handed over by the Authorities in London to be dealt with by the Governor and his agents, es refurges to be internea during the Musso-Japanese war, had such agents were his Superior officers.
That his application for Leave to go to Shanghai came before re and was not recomended because it was to seen the edvice of the russion Adairer at Changhal, who had no authority in the bettor.uc-leutenant Pm said that this matter 485 forming the subject of correspondence between the Pritish and russian GovernmeOULS,
200-Lieutenant Fiat ass ride to distinctly understand that Vajor Sexton is tis Comanding Officer, and that the crders 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 Coemanding the refugees shall be cermitted to do so by the Sergeant of the Guard. Sub-Lieutenant Fini was instructed that he is at liberty to asne day protest Le Lesires, out while coing so he must coey the officer put over bir, and that he is under Mitary control. He now quite understands his position and has no- thing to any against it.
Sub-lieutenant rini was told that I understand his protest and consider that his retly to Major Sexton was in the nature of that protest, and not a breach of Military discipline.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini now seered to understand that his pre- test having been amle, he should taxe orders from Vapor
Sexton
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