I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of 17th inst., desiring me to take steps to provide against any possible danger which might arise from the presence in Kowloon of a number of Chinese Troops which you have been informed have been sent to that city by the Viceroy for the alleged purpose of protecting the Customs. Naturally your Excellency's wishes shall be obeyed, but I would take this opportunity of drawing the attention of your Excellency to the fact that in my opinion the presence of a Chinese City in the midst of British Territory must always be a source of danger.
This has been proved by the late troubles on the Hinterland. It has been proved to my satisfaction that a number of disaffected and turbulent spirits come from thence to make their attack on our troops; then, when worsted, withdraw back into the City under the protection of the Chinese Flag. This has been the case, and will be the danger, whether it is an armed force, as in the present case, or a civil riot, as in the past. Kowloon City is the receptacle for a number of bad characters, and the presence of a city in our midst must always be a source of danger.
I have, &c.
W. J. Gascoigne
Consul in China at Hong...