CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 14

COPY

•

Hongkong. 26th October 1917.

12

sir,

We beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25th October.

We are of the opinion that, in present circumstances, further six British vessels can be spared from Hongkong, China and Indo-China trades.

It is observed that enemy vessels recently released from internment to Allies in the East will now supplement, after completing repairs, the allied tonnage previously available.

It is possible in these new circumstances that further tonnage can be released supplementary to the six vessels mentioned above, but before so deciding we should like to know what vessels are selected under release of the first six, and also,if practicable, to see the effect of the withdrawals following the inevitable redistribution of tonnage which muat arise therefrom.

It is to be observed that remaining British tonnage in the Far East is largely that under the Liner Requisition Scheme, and under directions from London from the Secretary of State for the Colonies and through the Commander in Chief to the Commodore (vide July despatches) withdrawals or diversions of such vessels will rest with the Controller, who will if necessary consult his London Sub-Committee and the Commodore here, actual requisitioning to be effected by the Admiral as hitherto. It is not therefore competent to this Committee at this stage to specify for release any particular vessels trading under the Liner Requisition Scheme. In any case while that authority is being secured consideration should we think be given to selection of some of the loose or tramping tonnage not already under any form of control as suggested in our letter of 18th August, and confirmed in the last paragraph of our advice of 13th October: meantime the Liner Owners might be warned of possible calls upon then.

We suggest that the Commodore proceed with the selection of vessels through his usual routine if the foregoing suggestions are adopted.

We have, etc.

(Sd.) G.T. Edkins.

Lau Chu-pak.

0.E. Anton.

Robt. Shewan.

Stanley H. Dodwell.

Hon. Mr. Claud Severn, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary,

HONGKONG.