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consideration of Her Majesty's Government,
by
whom the views and
suggestions
put forward in the enclosed letter will
be borne in mind.
д
аш,
Sir,
↓
Your most obedient, humble Verwant
Francis Bertie
My Lord,
CHINA
RECE
&
ASSOCIATION
2: NOV 26
159, Cannon Street,
14th November, 1898.
The announcement that H.M.Minister had obtained
the consent of the Chinese Government to an extension
of British Kowloong was received with general and cord-
ial satisfaction. Certain important strategical points
which had been felt to constitute a menace to the safety
of Hongkong have been brought under control: the sense
a prospect of relief from the construction and of confinement has been relieved, and espionage of the
Chinese Customs has been opened up.
The Agreement is couched, however, in general terms
which leave much to be subsequently defined; and commun-
ications (1) received from the Hongkong Branch of this
Association express anxiety in regard to the conclusions
that may be reached.
Disappointment is felt, for instance, at the reten-
tion of Chinese jurisdiction in the city of Kowloong.
That town and its suburbs have been a source of incon-
venience to the Colony for many years, and hopes were
entertained of bringing the whole area under police and
sanitary control. The annoyance will undoubtedly be re- duced, however, hy obtaining control over the suburbs;
and the Committee trust that it will be found possible
to exert beneficent pressure within the walls.
The Right Hon.
The Marquis of Salisbury K.G. H.M.Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
1