THE EXTENSION OF HONG-KONG.
The EARL of CAMPERDOWN rose to ask the Prime Minister whather he could give any information to the Honse with reference to the reported acquisition of ter- ritory at Hong-kong. He said that on Friday last the statement appeared in The Times that on the preced- ing day Sir Claude MacDonald had signed a treaty at Feking on behalf of this country, the effect of the treaty being to extend considerably the boundaries of the colony of Hong-kong. The treaty was alluded to in the debate on Friday in the House of Commons, and as its existence was not then controverted be supposed they might assume that the news was correct. But up to the present time they had received no official information As to the provisions of the treaty. Hong-kong had been one of the colonies of this country for more than 30 years; it was the most important commercial port in the East, and the second in importance in the British Empire. It bad, however, laboured under great disadvant- ages and bad been exposed to great danger. From the commercial point of view it had been placed at a dis- advantage by its restricted area, and from the
military point of
of view it had been expa
exposed to danger because was commanded on all sides from Chinese territory. An opportunity for
this state of things bad now arisen in consequence of the important changes which had recently taken place in the Far East. Those changes, BA the official papers
been due to her
va, their friendliness
Majesty's fed not!
to China, had do
In
done overything in these power to preserve the integrity of
of that Empire. Any extension of the colony of Hong-kong must be a matter of great importance not only to this country but to the whole world, to which the commersial port of Hong-keng was open. To the traders of all nations every British port was an open port; they received equsi treatment, and enjoyed a liberty i trading even greater than that which they enjoyed under their own flag. In these circumstances he was sure that any information which the noble marquis felt himself to be at liberty to give to their lordships would he listened to with the decpost interest. (Fear, hear)
The MARQUIS of SALISBURY.-I understand that my noble friend is discontented with the position in which Parliament is placed with reference to the information on this convention. It is due to the novel state of things brought about by the existence of the telegraph. I cannot remember any instance in which a convention has been laid before Parliament merely on telegraphic warrant. The proper and ordinary course will be to wait until the convention comes into our hands, and then to lay it before Parliament. Of course, the intelligence of the substantial character of its con- tents long precedes the arrival of any such text. I do not know whether it is possible in any formsi manner to correct the apparent irregularity to which the noble earl has called attention; but if informal statements ars to be accepted, I am glad to be able to assure the noble lord that a convention of the kind bas been signed, and that the terms of it substantially, at all events, the same as those which have resched 118 through the ordinary channels of information. As soon
as we pussens the actual text
dee or Individual.
My Mommons
1898
15 June
DOMESTIC.
C.0.
336
Đang trong
13012
No.
13512
(Subject.)
Contagious diseases adinances
17. Mr. Duncombe,-To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that the Contagious Diseases Ordinances which were in force in Hong Kong from 1858 to 1887 were repealed, in opposition to the wish of the Colony, and that the repeal has been followed by a serious increase of disease, as alleged by the China Association in their memorial of 30th August 1897:
And, whether, in view of the recent augmentation of our forces in Eastern waters, he will re-consider the refusal to sanction the re-enactment of these ordinances conveyed in his letter to the Association of 19th February 1898. [Tuesday 31st June
#3
previous Paper.
the
Veed
HK
19326
77
7892
are
it will be immediately communicated to Parliament.
I do not know that the details of this matter are of any
they are of strategic impor
tance. What has
Seneral interest happened is this. An opportunit
been taken to reinedy
want which has been felt
for a long time, not only to give a slight extension to the colony of Hong-koog but also to make it strategi-
cally safe. (Hear, hear.) The territory that did not
belong to
to Hong-kong but to China so far comntianded colony that in the case of war we should to put to a certain disadvantage; and, of course, these con siderations have become much more imperative in con- sequence of the events that have taken place in the last few years. When Hong-kong was founded there was no reason to far or apprehend the advent of any Power with whose action wo need concern ourselves; but
es have mach changed since then. Now there in the East-some Asiatic, some Eui * BTU
I cannot &
st any immediate danger is appre-indeed, quarter it can come yet it is
not see from what i onformity with the
ordinary rules of military prude... that all strategical conditions should be so devised that if an accident we cannot foresee take place we should aut be exposed t any danger or disadvantage. That is all we have done, and I
boliers it has been demanded for a long time. But recent events have made the Chuese Government more sensible of the possibility of expected occur. renees happening in their empire, and they quite under- stand and quite value the solicitude that is displayed for the maintenance of peace and the maintenance of the commercial interests of Great Britain which the náhle lord justly says are those of the whole world-against any accident that might occur. They met sy frankly and freely in the matter. We have not dis- turbed more than was possible their domestic and civil organization. We have merely taken those precautions the position of Hong-kong and the nature of the ground around it seemed to our military experts to be necessary. I do not know that there is anything else that I can explain to the noble lord. It would be idle for me to read agala the geographical details which, without a map, would not be intelligible; but what I have tried to do is to indicate the motives that have __guided_us. and I have every reason to believe that the i objects we have had in view have been fully attained. ( (Cheers.)
1
subsequeut Paper.
..0
Jam
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.—I am aware of the facts referred to by the hon. member, but I am not prepared to sanction the re-enactment of the Hong-kong Conta- gious Diseases Ordinances. I am, however, conferring With the Governor as to whether other measures can be adopted to check the spread of venereal diseases in the colony. The correspondence is not get completed, and when completed it will be laid before the House.
W. Wingfield
not aware
augmentation Eastern waters.
of any
17234
recent
of our forces
of Reply [as in sumiler Straits cass. 9247] = of the facts referred to by the tin. Munker
Dam aware
but Jam
I am not prepared to sanction ther
ther Stangkang
reenactment.
of
Contagions Diseases Ordnances, Jam however conferring with the fovemer
to whether other mea
s can be
adopted to check the spread on venereal diseases in the Coling
the House.
House]
Corresp. is not get completed, but when completed it will laid befon
Ew 16 fr. Greg. 16/6
Partly. G. 48.2116