CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3] — Page 275

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271^

COPY.

CONFIDENTIAL.

No. 024.

sir,

Enclume.

*Tamar" at Hongkong,

10th. February, 190407

PEC REG 20 AM. 17

This

I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I

received a telegram from the Commander-in-Chief at 6.0 p.m.

yesterday, February 9th., asking me "Are neutral merchant ships

being detained at Hongkong", to which I replied "No".

morning my Naval Secretary informed me that he had been informed

by the General Staff Officer (Naval) that certain instructions

had been given by the Colonial Goverment to detain neutral

shipping, and this information has been ; confirmed over the

telephone by your Colonial Secretary,

Unless circumstances demand it, I am at a loss

to understand why I, as Senior Naval Officer, have not been

informed of any such action and trust that all information

in respect to shipping may be communicated to me, no se to

ensure the closest co-operation between the Colonial Government

and H. M. Navy.

His Excellency

Sir F. H. Hay, K.O.K.G.,

Governor & Commander-in-Chief,

Hongkong.

عايننند.

I have àô.,

(sd.) H. G. Sandeman,

Commodore.