CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 230

In any further communication

on the subject. please quote

No.

And addrow

55470/14

The Under-Secretary of State.

Foreign Office,

London.

Sir:-

30

REC

C

38976

REGE 10 OCTOPON OFFICE

October

9

225

1914

I am directed by Secretary Sir E.Grey to

acknowledge the receipt of your letter No.36719 of

the 2nd instant forwarding for his observations a

copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong

respecting the alleged transport of food destined

for Tsingtau over the Tientsin-Tsi-nan-fu Railway.

The Japanese forces are reported, since the

date of the Governor's despatch, to have seized

the railway,

so that the legal questions raised

appear to have become academic.

Sir E.Grey is, however, of opinion that the

operation in question did not involve any breach

of China's neutrality.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,

Ralph Paget

F