CO129-429 - Public Offices & Others - 1915 — Page 425

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COPY

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From: -

The General Officer Commanding China Command.

To:-

Sir,

The Secretary, War Office,

London, S.W.

HONG KONG,

7th August 1915.

I have the honour to report the arrest and detention of an enemy subject named R.H.Freche.

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This man as you will see by the correspondence with the Java-China-&-Japan Lijn was warned not to come through Hongkong, unless provided with a pass either from the War Office or the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The American Coneul in Batavia advised him to go in spite of this warning. The man was arrested under the authority of the telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies dated 5th, February "Any enemy subject arriving in a neutral vessel."

I report the case owing to the man having been given

a pass out of India. There is no mention of a safe conduct for him to pass through Hongkong. There is however, mention made in an uncertified copy of a letter purporting to be from the District Magistrate of North Arcot, mentioning that he would pass through Hongkong.

I attach all the documents concerning this man.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Signed) F.Ventino, Major-General Commanding the Troops in China.