The Marquess of Salisbury to Mr. Bax-Ironside.
Foreign Office, April 14, 1899. (Telegraphic.)
HONG KONG Extension: Your telegram No. 93 of the 8th April. Intention of Governor of Hong Kong to take over territory on the 17th instant has been approved.
Instructions have been sent to him that he must agree to retention of Chinese customs at stations named until other arrangements can be made, but in no case later than October.
You should urge Yamên to withdraw these customs stations at earliest possible moment, and to allow no further difficulties to be raised,