No. 75338
420 RECE
Mr. Bax-Ironside to the Marquess of Salisbury.---(Received May JUN 99,
Peking, April 10, 1899.
ON receipt of your Lordship's telegram of the 3rd instant, informing me that a telegram had been received from the Governor of Hong Kong, to the effect that upon his sending men to the new boundary-line of the Colony to erect sheds for the police they were obstructed by the Chinese of the locality, and that placards had been posted in the district inciting the people to resist British jurisdiction. I at once made a representation to the Chinese Government, and requested that a telegram be sent to the Governor-General of Canton to carry out the arrangements agreed upon with regard to the provisional boundary, and to prevent any hostile behaviour on the part of the Chinese population of the district.
On the 6th instant, the Ministers replied informing me that they had received a telegram from the Governor-General, in which his Excellency quoted a personal statement made to him by the Governor of Hong Kong, which agreed in substance with the details in the letter from this Legation. They added that the Governor-General had already sent telegraphic orders for soldiers to be sent to the spot to keep order.
I have the honour to forward copies of my correspondence with the Tsung-li Yamên on the subject. On the 7th instant, I sent a telegram to the effect that I had carried out your Lordship's instructions, and I reported the action taken by the Chinese Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
Inclosure 1 in No.
Mr. Bax-Ironside to the Tsung-li Yamên.
Peking, April 4, 1899.
Messieurs les Ministres;
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have just received a telegram from Her Majesty's Government, to the effect that the Governor of Hong Kong has telegraphed that upon his sending men to the new boundary-line of the Colony to erect sheds for the police they were obstructed by the Chinese of the locality, and that placards had been posted in the district inciting the people to resist British jurisdiction. Her Majesty's Government instructs me to make a representation to the Chinese Government, and request you to telegraph to the Governor-General of Canton to carry out the arrangements with regard to the provisional boundary, and to prevent any hostile behaviour on the part of the population of the district.
I beg accordingly to request your Highness and your Excellencies to telegraph at once in this sense to the Governor-General.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. Bax-Ironside.
Peking, April 6, 1899.
WE have received your letter, to the effect that the Governor of Hong Kong had sent men to erect sheds for the police within the new boundary of the Colony, and that the Chinese of the locality had shown obstruction to the work, and had posted placards in opposition to British control. You requested us to telegraph to the Governor-General of Canton to carry out the recent arrangements as to provisional frontier, and to prevent any hostile demonstration on the part of the people.
The Tsung-li Yamên yesterday received a telegram from the Governor-General of Canton, enclosing a personal statement made to him by the Governor of Hong Kong, which agrees in substance with the details given in your Excellency's letter. The Governor-General has at once sent telegraphic orders for soldiers to be sent to the spot to keep order.
We have, &c.
(Cards of Ministers of Tsung-li Yamên.)
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