CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917 — Page 455

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through the Colonies for the Dutch East Indies pending

enquiry of the British Consul General at Batavia.

(c). The question of arms and ammunition intended for the Philippines has been discussed with the Foreign Office and it was decided that it would suffice if all suspicions shipments were reported to the British Consul General at

Manila. Under the general instructions applying to the

transhipment in the Straits Settlements and Hong Kong of

goods obtained from foreign countries and destined for foreign countries in Asia, the Governors of the Colonies

consult the British Consular Officer at the port of

destination where necessary before allowing the goods to proceed. Mr. Long is prepared to instruct the Governors of both Colonies to detain all arms and ammunition transhipped for the Philippines pending consultation with the British

Consul General at Manila, if it is desired, bearing in mind

that there is the probability of representations by the

Government of the United States of America, if arms and

ammunition on the way from the United States to the Philippines are delayed unduly on transhipment in the Colonies.

(d). As regards China, in addition to the general

arrangements as to transhipped goods described under (c),

there are special arrangements by which arms transhipped at Hong Kong are released only at the request of the Chinese

Minister of War through the British Legation.

(s). The case of transhipments for Portuguese Timor

and Macao has not been discussed previously, but, if necessary, Mr. Long is prepared to instruct the Governors of

the Straits Settlements andHong Kong to detain all arms and

ammunition transhipped for those countries pending enquiry

of the appropriate British Consular Officer.

5. Er. Long will be glad to learn in due course whether

it