Mr. White to Mr. Hay.

No. 530.]

Sir: Referring to Mr. Adee’s cipher telegram of 21st instant, I have the honor to inform you that I lost no time upon its receipt in addressing a note to the Marquis of Salisbury, of which I inclose a copy herewith. I took it myself to the foreign office and requested the under secretary (to whom I handed it) to read it at once, which he did, and I furthermore asked that the answer of Her Majesty’s Government might be given as promptly as possible.

On the 24th I received a private note stating that the Helena will be permitted to coal at Bermuda and Gibraltar on the understanding that she will not reenforce our Asiatic Squadron should hostilities be renewed with Spain.

I therefore sent you the telegram, whereof a copy is inclosed, together with that of a note to the foregoing effect, which I have received to-day from the foreign office. I have expressed my thanks to the Marquis of Salisbury for the courtesy of Her Majesty’s Government in the matter.

I have, etc.,

Henry White.
[Page 1005]
[Inclosure 1—Telegram.]

Mr. Adee to Mr. White.

It is desired to send small light-draft gunboat Helena to China for river service, for which purpose she was expressly built. Will sail about October 1, touching at Bermuda, Madeira, and Gibraltar. Ask permission to visit Bermuda and Gibraltar and coal therein, with understanding that the vessel does not reenforce Asiatic Squadron for operations against Spain should hostilities be resumed.

Adee, Acting.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. White to Lord Salisbury.

My Lord: I have the honor to inform your lordship that my Government would like to send a small gunboat, the Helena, of light draft, to China for river service, for which purpose she has been expressly built. It is desired that she should sail from the United States about the 1st of October, touching at Bermuda and Gibraltar.

I am accordingly instructed to ask permission of Her Majesty’s Government for the Helena to visit Bermuda and Gibraltar and to coal at those places, upon the understanding that she does not reenforce the Asiatic Squadron of the United States for operations against Spain should hostilities unfortunately be resumed between those countries.

I have, etc.,

Henry White.
[Inclosure 3.]

Lord Salisbury to Mr. White.

Sir: In compliance with the request contained in your note of the 22d instant, on the understanding mentioned therein, I have the honor to inform you that permission will be granted for the U. S. gunboat Helena to coal at Bermuda and Gibraltar.

The secretary of state for the colonies has been requested to issue instructions to the governors of the two colonies to that effect.

I have, etc.,

F. H. Villiers
,
(For the Marquis of Salisbury.)
[Inclosure 4—Telegram.]

Mr. White to Mr. Adee.

British Government will allow Helena to coal at Bermuda and Gibraltar on the understanding stated in your telegram of 21st.

White.