Catalogue description Folio 98: Telegram from Commander-in-Chief Hong Kong to Admiralty 6th August 1914...

Folio 98: Telegram from Commander-in-Chief Hong Kong to Admiralty 6th August 1914 endeavouring with HMS Minotaur, HMS Hampshire, HMS Newcastle to cut off Emden [German light cruiser] and 4 colliers bound south east from Kiao Chau. I may go to Yap, then to Saddle Island. Coal probably for German Admiral who may be processing to South America or chasing Montcalm [French cruiser]or returning to Kiao Chau. Fitzmaurice commands HMS Triumph whose crew has almost been completed by 100 of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Folio 100: Telegram from Commodore Hong Kong to Admiralty 6th August 1914 HMS Cadmus sailed with fleet colliers. HMS Triumph sailed. Telegram from Rentiers Manila to Admiralty 6th August 1914 7 German merchant vessels at Manila including Princess Alice and Sachsen both with wireless telegraphy, former 4 central pivots for 4.7 guns. 32 German reserves booked for Shanghai by Pacific Mail Steamer Manchuria leaving 7th August for Hong Kong.

Folio 101: Telegram from Ambassador Tokyo to Admiralty 6th August 1914 yacht Mekong accepted and transferred to the Commander-in-Chief.

Folio 104: Telegram from Sir Edward Grey to Sir C.Greene (Tokyo) 6th August 1914 as our warships will require time to locate and destroy German warships in Chinese waters essential that Japanese should hunt out and destroy the German armed merchant cruisers who are attacking our commerce now.

Folio 105: Telegram from Admiralty to Commodore Hong Kong 6th August 1914 prepare for issue 4.7 ammunition for merchant cruisers four eight gun sets 150 rounds per gun not 200 rounds. Issue four rounds gun trials.

Folio 106: Telegram from Commonwealth Naval Board of Administration, Melbourne 6th August 1914 latest report of movements of German man-of-war Geier [German gunboat Dutch ship Houtman in Makassan Strait on 5th August. Planet [German surveying vessel] at Mazatlan 3rd August Commander-in-Chief China proceeds to intercept Scharnhost [German cruiser] and possibly Gneisenau [German cruiser] about 6 degrees S.Latitude, 162 degrees E.Longitude. Course probably South east.

Folio 107: newspaper cutting from the Evening News 6th August 1914 reporting the naval battle off Wei-Hai-Wei.

Folio 108: newspaper cuttings from The Globe 1st War Edition 6th August 1914 reports that Russian Squadron sailed from Vladivostock and a German squadron left Tsingtau presumably in quest of the Russians.

Folio 112: Telegram from Reuter, Manila 7th August 1914 authentic reports that the British and German squadrons have been engaged in battle at Tsing-Tu. German cruiser Scharnhorst is now in New Guinea without coal.Eleven German merchantmen are taking refuge in Manila.

Folio 113: Telegram from Manila to Admiralty 7th August 1914 US merchant vessel Riopag sailed for Guam with 4,600 tons of Japanese coal. Suspected for Scharnhorst [German cruiser] reported to be at Yap. German merchant vessel Rentiers arrived.

Folio 114: Telegram from Hong Kong to Admiralty 7th August 1914 press telegram from Tientsin states that Askold [Russian cruiser] after grounding surrendered to Emden [German cruiser] was floated and towed to Tsing-tau. Germans also captured and towed into Tsing-Tau Russian transport with 1,000 men.

Folio 120: Telegram from Commodore, Hong Kong to Admiralty 8th August 1914 in the event of 3 or 4 Russian Volunteer Fleet at Vladivostock being armed and used for protecting trade can they use Hong Kong and Wei Hai Wei for coaling. Japanese wish to send one officer to Wei Hai wei and one to Hong Kong if Alliance takes effect. Handwritten note from Vice Admiral Sturdee on telegram:-Every assistance to be rendered to Russian volunteer ships. Approve one Japanese Officer to both Wei Hai wei and Hong Kong.

Folio 126: Telegram from Sir C.Greene Tokyo to Foreign Office 8th August 1914 relating to Japanese declaration of war against Germany.

Folio 127: Telegram from Sir J.Jordan, Peking to Sir Edward Grey 8th August 1914 relates to the two cables between Chefu and Taku, property of Chinese government. One controlled by Eastern Extension Company, the other by the Northen Company.

Folios 128-129 Telegram from Sir C.Greene, Tokyo 8th August 1914 relating to question of Japanese action against Tsingtau and desirability of French and British naval co-operation. Russian Ambassador believes his government would also favour a new and closer relation with Japan.

Folio 131: Telegram to Navy, Melbourne 8th August 1914 no German possessions in Pacific were fortified a year ago except Tsingtau.

Folio 133: Telegram from Mr Barclay, Washington 8th August 1914 United States anxious lest Japan should acquire too preponderance of influence in China while European Powers are fighting. Tone of Press, even Hearst papers distinctly sympathetic towards England; officials of the State Department and others categorically anti-German and do not hide their feelings.

Folio 134: Telegram from the War Office 8th August 1914 the reduction of the garrison at Hong Kong should not be carried out at present.

Folio 136: Telegram from Intelligence Officer, Singapore to Admiralty 9th August 1914 have stopped route to Ports North coast of Java. Reply:-Most important trade should not be stopped unless absolutely necessary.

Folio 137: Telegram from Sir George Buchanan, St Petersburg to Foreign Office 9th August 1914 Russians want signal so that they may assist by creating diversion in case of action between British and German navies.

Folio 138: Telegram from Foreign Office to Sir George Buchanan 9th August 1914 British and Russian naval forces too far separated for any combination at present except in China.

Folio 140: Telegram from Sir J Jordan (Peking) to Foreign Office 9th August 1914 Japanese declaration of war not urgent necessity and may have bad effects.

Folio 141: Telegram from Commodore, Hong Kong to Admiralty 9th August 1914 HMS Merlin was paid off 5th August at Hong Kong.

Folio 142: Telegram from Foreign Office to Sir C.Greene, Tokyo 9th August 1914 ask Japanese to defer declaration of war. I wish to limit Japanese operations to protection of commerce on China Station.

Folio 144: Telegram from Sir J Jordan, Peking to Foreign Office 9th August 1914 British and German men-of-war in Yangtse. HMS Kinsha, HMS Woodcock and HMS Snipe left Hankow for Shanghai after depositing guns and papers with HM Consul General. Vaterland [German vessel] dismantled wireless telegraphy left Shanghai on 8th August in tow of Otter.

Folio 146: Telegram from Admiralty to R.A. [Rear Admiral]Australia (at sea) and Commander-in-Chief, China 9th August 1914 New Zealand expedition for Samoa leaves about August 11th. Guard it against intervention by enemy.

Folio 147: Telegram from British Admiralty to French Admiralty 9th August 1914 please give us any known movements of Montcalm [French cruiser]in China seas.

Folio 149: Telegram from Mr Barclay (Washington) 9th August 1914 relating to threat to China from Japan.

Folio 150: Telegram from Sir J Jordan to Admiralty 9th August 1914 no British vessel has reported to have been pursued or molested.

Folio 151: Telegram to all Intelligence Officers from Admiralty 9th August 1914 Cyphers M and G and circular A containing the peace code having been captured by Germans, there is danger of false messages being forwarded to Consular Reporting Officers by German agents. Therefore cease forwarding any intelligence in the above cyphers.

Folio 153: Telegram from Singapore to Admiralty 10th August 1914 D’Iberville [French torpedo vessel], Fronde [French destroyer], Pistolet [French destroyer], Masquet [Mousqet French destroyer] arrived.