File No. 763.72/1986
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
1878. Department has received printed circular stating that at the outbreak of the Japanese-Russian War the following official order to all British subjects was issued by the British Consulate at Shanghai:
All subjects of the crown are notified that the British Government will not undertake to be responsible for the safety of any British subject leaving this port on a ship of either of the belligerent nations.
Please ascertain discreetly whether any such order was issued at Shanghai or elsewhere with the authorization of the British Government. Report promptly by telegraph.