[The S.S. Commissaire Ramel, employed by the Compagnie des
Messageries Maritimes on the Marseilles-Tahiti run, was
requisitioned by the U.K. authorities in Suva on 24 July and
sailed to Sydney. When arrangements had been made for the
disposition of the crew (some were repatriated while others,
despite Tremoulet's warnings, elected to continue serving on the
ship) the Commissaire Ramel was taken over by the Shaw Savill
Line. It was sunk in the Indian Ocean by the German raider
Atlantis on 20 September 1940.]

I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that the
Commonwealth Government has received reports from its officers in
Sydney that you have been engaged in activities in relation to the
crew of the S.S. Commissaire Ramel which are regarded by the
Commonwealth Government as highly objectionable. In particular, it
is reported that you have informed the crew of the vessel that if
they sail in the ship under British orders they are liable to
suffer such penalties as loss of nationality and non-payment of
allotment to relatives. It is also stated that you have instructed
the Master [1] to report the names of all members of the crew
willing to sail under British orders, and that you have implied
that the names of such persons will be communicated to the Petain
Government.

I am directed by the Minister [2] to ask if you would be good
enough to reply to the above-mentioned allegations without delay,
so that the Commonwealth Government may be in a position to decide
whether or not your recognition as Consul-General of France should
be withdrawn.

W. R. HODGSON