CODE 18-77
ג
覆
Mr Heare
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong Department
PRECEDENTS: HELIGOLAND
1.
Reference..
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Mr. Hom
thr
You may
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wish to be aware of
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precedent of a transfer of sove. The
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I have mentioned in a previous minute the case of Heligoland 4/4 where our sovereignty over the island was surrendered to Germany in 1890 (in exchange for various colonial deals in Africa).
2. You may find it useful to have the terms of the 1890 Agreement in so far as it concerned Heligoland. attached.
3.
A copy is
The transfer of sovereignty was subject to Parliamentary approval. Natives of the island had the right to opt for British Nationality within a fixed period. Private property rights were secured and local laws and customs "now existing will, as far as possible remain undisturbed". There was also a German guarantee not to increase the customs tariff before January 1910. (191 years).
THR Cashmore'
L
Research Department
25 April 1984
CONFIDENTIAL
+IKK 040/1
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- 9 MAY 1984
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