CO129-377 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [5] — Page 130

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an expression of our opinion to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Allof us, residents in HongKong, having of recent years had per- sonal experience of what Naval Warfare means to neutral trade must, I

feel sure,

be united in protesting against the terms of this Declara-

tion.

The food question is, of course, of the greatest moment to the

British Isles, and under the circumstances it seems difficult to un-

derstand how H.M. Goverment could come to the agreement they have.

So long ago as our waris with Napoleon I, this question arose

and it may therefore be worth while here stating that in 1795 Greut

Britain, being at war with France, declared food stuffs carried on

the high seas in neutral shipping destined for a French port to be

contraband and therefore liable to capture.

On protests however being made by the United States of America,

Denmark and Sweden, this was modified to cargoes destined for French

Naval or Military stations,

It seems strange that this humane policy should now have been

abandoned by the Great Powera.

I have dealt with so fully with this question, gentlemen, as I

feel we should speak in no uncertain voice on so important a matter.

We all, or nearly all, have had personal experience of what took

place during the recent wars of Japon, first with China, and later with

Russia, while some of us can remember the difficulties which arose in

regard to neutral trade during the war between France and China.

We can consequently speak of our direct experience, and can rea-

lize perhaps even more fully than people further from the actual scene

of war what these hindrances to trade mean.

The Committee trust therefore, gentlemen, that in this matter

they have your fullest and heartiest support for the steps taken in

protesting against the present proposed International Agreement.