—  46  —

plead  impossibility.  For  surely  a  few  hundred  sailors,  with  offieiers  and  engineers
  to  match,  might  be  taken  from  the  Black  Sea  squadron  which  has  got
to  remain  inactive  any-way—and  sent  direetly  by  steamer  through  the  Suez
Canal  to  Madagascar.  They  might:  be  installed  on  board  of  the  colliers  long
before  the  3A  squadron  arrives  in  Madagascar,  for  which  Rojestwenski  will
have  to  wait  any  way,  if  he  would  avoid  defeat,  the  second  squadron  being
inferior  to  the  Japanese  naval  forces.  Tt  is  lucky  for  Vou  that  the  French  have
at  all  times,  even  against  their  own  interests  during  the  German  war,  maintained
  the  point  of  naval  law  that  belligerent  vessels  may  remain  in  a  nentral
  port  for  any  length  of  time  and  without  disarming.  Thus  the  French
Governement  are  fully  entitled  to  let  the  seeund  squadron  remain  in  Madagascar
  until  the  arrival  of  the  3d.  The  Russian  erews  for  the  eolliers  would  therefore
  have  ample  time  to  reach  Nossibe  and  to  install  themselves  on  board.  The
new  manning  of  the  colliers  will  give  Rojestw.  legitimate  motive  for  staying
in  Nossibe  until  -he  is  reinforced  by  the  3d  squadron.  If  any  body  were  te
advise  you  to  let  Rojest.  attack  the  Japanese  before  the  arrival  reinforeements
  You  might  ask  that  party  whether  he  is  ready  to  take  upon  himself  the
responsability  for  the  result.
Willy.

27.
Berlin.—Sa  Majeste  l’Empereur.

Admiral  Rojestvensky  wired  yesterday  for  the  third  time  that  two
Hanıburg-America  line  coaling  ships  have  not  yet.  recieved  orders  from  their
Company  to  follow  further  than  Madagascar  under  German  flag.  The  agreement.
  concerning  money  guarantees  against  war  risk  has  been  settJed  with  the
Company  through  Meudelsson  bank,  but  the  Hambourg-America-Company
[cars  to  give  orders  before  getting  iastructions  from  the  Chancellor.  Would
You:kindly:  give.  the.  necessary  .permeision  without  which  the  further  sailing
«{  the  squadron  becomes  entirely.  impossible.

Nicky.

‘28.
Berlin  2./15.  Fevrier  195.  »12  Uhr’55  M.  nachmittags.«

I  told  You  with  beginning  of  this  coaling-business  that  ]  should  do
nothing  to  prevent.  I  can  give  no  instructions  whatever  with  regard  to  it
beeause  it  is  a  private  enterprise.  The  Hamburg-America  line  know  the
situation  and  must  act  on  their  own  responsability.  From  this  point  of  view
l  have  ordered  now  to  let  Ballin  knsw  once  more  by  wire  that  as  far  myself
and  my  Government  he  is  at  liberty  to  act  as  he  thinks  fit,  of  course  at  hia
own  risks,

Willy.