File No. 841.711/1321
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4.35 p. m.]
5012. Replying to representations based on your 36801 August 15, Foreign Office states:
That careful enquiries have been made into this matter and it appears that the Spanish steamship Eizaguvrre called at Singapore in the ordinary course of her voyage. She was therefore subject to all the laws and regulations in force in that territory.
As regards the S. S. Tjikembang, it appears that she was brought into Singapore by one of His Majesty’s ships. When the mails were taken off and examined they were found to contain seditious matter and enemy propaganda. His Majesty’s Government believe that no one will be disposed to contest their exercise of the right of visit and for the purpose of preventing the passage of seditious literature to India or other British possessions in the East. Such [Page 624] treasonable matter can only be regarded as an analogue of contraband since the use of neutral mails for the carrying out by the enemy of his designs against British territory clearly constitutes one of the most injurious and hostile acts against which His Majesty’s Government can have to defend themselves.
I trust that this statement of the facts will sufficiently explain to your Government the reasons for the action of His Majesty’s Government in this case.