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a revenue-cruiser on account of smuggling or other breach of the law should seek to escape by passing the boundary, both countries shall allow the pursuing cruiser to follow up the vessel across the boundary, in order to put a stop to hide-and-seek abuses.
The Prince and Ministers have the honour to place the above proposals, which have been submitted by the Inspector-General of Customs, before Sir Claude MacDonald, that he may inform Her Majesty's Government, and that the Governor of Hong Kong may be instructed to let the British officials concerned know that zealous assistance should be given (to the Maritime Customs).
It is expected that the revenues of both countries will reap advantage, and it is con- fidently hoped that the friendly relations existing between them will become all the more intimate.
The Prince and Ministers avail, &c.
(Seal of Yamên.)
inclosure
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir C. MacDonald to the Tsung-li Yamên.
MM. les Ministres,
Peking, June 10, 1898. IN reply to the Yamên's note of the 29th May, with reference to the assistance to be given to Chinese Customs authorities at Hong Kong, I am telegraphically instructed by Her Majesty's Government to assure your Highness and your Excellencies that as soon as the territory leased under yesterday's Convention has been handed over, the Hong Kong Government will take all possible precautions to prevent it from being used to facilitate smuggling into China, or in any other way detrimental to Chinese interests.
The Yamen will recognize that it may be difficult at once to organize adequate police measures, but the Colonial authorities will be definitely instructed to use their best endeavours to fulfil this undertaking.
While communicating the above for the Yamên's information, I avail, &c.
(Signed) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD,
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