54
0.0.
No.191.
(Extract
sir,
70
14991
18534
Government House 0.8
Hong-Kong, 13th July,1898.
PRINTED
FOR USE
EASTERN
NO.
66
COLONIAL
OFFIC
With reference to your telegram of the 7th.
instant postponing for the present the making public the terms of the Convention for the extension of the boundaries of Hong- Kong, I have the honour to say that I asked the question only because Reuter's telegram had already made most of it known to the inhabitants generally and the arrival of "The Times" of the 10th.ultimo has since given the gist of the convention.
There is considerable disappointment expressed here on the reservation of Chinese rights over the city of Kowloon, which will probably be increased when the concessions made to the Imperial Maritime Customs become known.
As some of the Societies who interest them- selves in public affairs and freely give advice thereon, have gathered from The Times" telegram above referred to that the reservation of Chinese rights over the City of Kowloon give more power to Chinese officials than is the case, I thought it well to let them know the exact terms of the Convention on this head, viz.-
" That within the city of Kowloon the Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise ju-
risdiction except so far as may be inconsistent with the "Mi-
litary
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,M.P.