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China is not likely to trouble itself about a petty dependency of a vassal Sovereign, while Appendix No. 4. Japan, suspected of having designs of her own on Corea, would probably be indifferent, or indisposed to raise any objection.
4. The possession of a good harbour in that locality is so important to our interest, while the occu- pation of Port Hamilton by a rival Power might be so detrimental to us, that if the British Govern- ment are averse, from political and moral considerations, to taking possession of it without reference to the assumed sovereignty of Corea, it would certainly be expedient to endeavour to obtain its legal cession by friendly negotiation with the Government of Corea, for such equivalent as might be agreed
upon.
I think that this matter is well worthy of the consideration of Her Majesty's Government.
I have, &c.
PORT HAMILTON,
(Signed)
Inclosure 33 in No. 104.
Admiralty to Foreign Office.
CHAS. P. SHADWELL.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Admiralty, October 20, 1875. WITH reference to my letter of the 14th instant,* I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward, for the information of the Earl of Derby, a copy of a letter received from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Shadwell,† giving further details relative to Port Hamilton, in the Corean Archi- pelago, and to the advantages which would result from its occupation by the British Government.
I am, &c. (Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure 34 in No. 104.
Extract from Despatch of Commander-in-chief, China (Admiral Ryder), of August 13, 1877.
IN speaking of the contingency of an attack on a fortified port in Eastern Siberia, Admiral Ryder
says:-
Page 14:
"We should have to draw our supplies of coal, &c., from Hong Kong. Both China and Japan would almost certainly insist, as neutrals, that we do not make a base of any of their ports. During our Russian War we made use of Gothland, which belonged to Sweden, as a base, but from what I have seen of the Japanese, I should doubt very much if their neutrality would become of so benevolent a nature as to allow us to use Nagasaki or Tsusima for such a purpose. Tsusima would be admirably suited for a first rendezvous.”
Page 15, paragraph 16:
Possiette Bay, at no distance (only 80 miles by land) from Vladivostock, would have advantages; also Port Lazareff; but this port is in Corea. If Tsusima is not available, Port Hamilton has claims on consideration."
And again, page 20, paragraph 19:
"To us Tsusima or Port Hamilton would be invaluable, and no favourable opportunity should be lost of obtaining either one or the other."
THURSDAY ISLAND.
No. 105.
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, April 4, 1882.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commis- sion on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Victoria, inclosing a letter from Colonel Scratchley covering his Report on the defences of Thursday Island.
I am to add that the spare copies of the Report and the papers referred to at the end of Colonel Scratchley's letter have not yet been received.
Inclosure 30.
[1103]
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I am, &c.
(Signed)
JOHN BRAMSTON.
+ Inclosure 32.
4 X
THURSDAY ISLAND.
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