CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904 — Page 294

11565

1904.

Sir:-

CUSTOM HOUSE, LONDON.

June 15th, 1904.

C.0.

22114

291

I am directed by the Commissioners of Customs to

state, for the information of the Secretary of State,

that their attention has been called to the fact that

a Certificate of Sale has been issued by R. M. Hudson

of Sunderland, owner of the steamship "Mascotte" of

that Port, authorizing Frederick John Bardens of the

firm of Samuel Samuel and Company of Yokohama and Kobé,

to sell the vessel within the next six months for a

sum not less than £12,000.

As this Vessel sailed from Sunderland on the 18th

ultimo in ballast for Hong Kong, the Commissioners

deem it desirable to communicate the facts of the case

ob-

to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,

serving that, although it was rumoured before her de-

parture that she had been sold to the Japanese Govern-

ment, no suspicious circumstances were observed which

called for interference by the Officers of this De-

partment.

e Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office.