CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8] — Page 365

D

NA CONFIDENTIAL.

Sir,

43167

Reg of 14 Sefer 15

361

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 3rd August, 1915.

You

In the remarks which I made on the occasion of

Major-General Kelly taking leave of the Legislative Council and ogos reported in my Despatch No. 266 of the 27th. July, I was glad to

avail myself of the opportunity of testifying publicly to the

cordial co-operation which has existed between the Colonial Govern-

-ment and the Naval Authorities in this Colony since the outbreak

of war. These remarks, I have reason to believe, gave much satis-

-faction to the public, especially in shipping circles, which has

been quick to appreciate not only the considerate manner in which

the necessarily stringent and irksome examination of all shipping

using the port has been carried out, but the services rendered in

the prosecution of the war by the Commander-in-Chief and Commodore

R. H. Anstruther upon whom, during the absence at sea and later at

Singapore of the Vice-Admiral, the work at and in the vicinity of Hongkong devolved.

2.

Thus the speedy fitting out of H. M. S.

"Triumph in this port and her subsequent fine performance at Tsingtao were an object lesson to the public here of Naval efficien -cy; while the blockade carried out by Commodore Anstruther's

orders of 19 of the German Admiral's colliers and supply ships in

Manila from the 4th. September onwards was a successful piece of

strategy which contributed largely to the immunity from attack

enjoyed

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ANDREW BONAR LAW. M.P.,

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