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despatches, and their Excellencies requested me to telegraph to your Lordship to order the withdrawal of the troops.
to
In my reply, dated the 23rd instant, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, I reminded the Tsung-li Yamên that, on the 29th ultimo, I had called upon those present with the contents of a telegram which I had received from your Lordship to the effect that Her Majesty's Government were convinced that the recent disturbances at Kowloon, and the opposition displayed to the taking over the territory could not have occurred without the knowledge of the local authorities.
The Governor of Canton had promised to keep order until the territory was taken over, and he had failed to fulfil his promise.
I concluded by informing the Yamên that I could not agree to telegraph their request to your Lordship, for reasons which their Excellencies could well understand.
I had the honour to inform your Lordship of my action in this matter on the 23rd instant by telegraph.
I have, &c.
(Translation.) Sir,
(Signed)
Theloture in No.
H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE
The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. Bax-Ironside,
Peking, May 21, 1909. On the 19th May we received a telegram from the Governor-General of Canton as follows:-
"At the beginning of this moon (10th May) the Governor of Hong Kong having heard false rumours that rioters were about to make a raid on the leased territory, asked me to send soldiers to Shamchun to keep order. I at once sent 300 men to be stationed at Shamchun. On the 16th instant six war vessels suddenly proceeded to Kowloon City and expelled all the officials and soldiers. On the 17th instant more than 1,000 Indian troops went to Shamchun and ordered the immediate withdrawal of the officials and soldiers, and hoisted the British flag there. These proceedings are certainly infringements of the recent Convention."
The Yamên begs to observe that the Convention for the extension of Kowloon contains a special stipulation that the officials of China shall continue to exercise jurisdiction in the city of Kowloon. The Governor-General of Canton also sent a deputy to hold a joint survey of the boundary with the Hong Kong officials, and an agreement was made in which it was stated definitely that Shamchun was outside the boundary. The Governor-General of Canton, on account of false rumours that rioters were about to make a raid upon the leased territory, acceded to the Governor of Hong Kong's request and sent troops to be stationed at Shamchun to keep order. In connection with this affair China has shown the most accommodating spirit, but the conduct of England in sending soldiers to Kowloon City and expelling Chinese officials and troops, and in forcing the withdrawal of officials and soldiers from Shamchun and hoisting the British flag is indeed an unexpected return.
We have the honour to request your Excellency to telegraph to your Government to direct the Governor of Hong Kong to immediately recall his troops from Shamchun, and to deal with all matters in a friendly manner in accordance with the stipulations of the Convention. This will preserve intact friendly relations. I beg the favour of a reply.
We avail, &c.
(Seal of Yana)
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Hong Kong to immediately recall his troops from Shamchun, and to deal with matters in a friendly manner in accordance with the stipulations of the convention.
I beg to remind your Highness and your Excellencies that on the 29th April I called at the Yamên and read to the Ministers present a telegram from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government were convinced that the recent disturbances at Kowloon, and the opposition displayed to the taking over of the territory, could not have happened without the knowledge of the local authorities.
I pointed out to your Excellencies that the Governor-General of Canton was repeatedly requested by the Hong Kong authorities to keep order until the territory was taken over, and promised to do so. He utterly failed to keep his promise, and in his language to the Governor of Hong Kong and to Her Majesty's Consul at Canton he has given good cause for the belief that he did not take any effective measures for that purpose. In any case, he is responsible for the attacks on British troops and the burning of the police mat-sheds, which occurred before the assumption of British jurisdiction.
The Ministers of the Yamên excused the conduct of the Governor-General and requested me to telegraph their remarks to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
I did so, and on the 1st May sent a despatch to the Yamên communicating his Lordship's reply.
The local measures therein alluded to are now being taken by Her Majesty's Government without reference to the Peking Government. I warned the Ministers of the Yamên at my interview with them on the 8th May that some demand for compensation would assuredly be made.
Their
The Colonial Government has shown great forbearance in this matter. Sheds have been burnt twice, and their troops attacked by the train-bands of China. Upon representation of the matter to the Chinese Government, they excused the Governor-General and said he was not responsible. It is impossible for Her Majesty's Government to accept that view.
In view of the instructions I have received from Her Majesty's Government, I do not feel justified in telegraphing to Her Majesty's Secretary of State in the sense required by the Yamên.
I avail, &c.
0
(Signed)
H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
MM. les Ministres,
Inclosure 2 - No.
Mr. Bax-Ironside to the Tsung-li Yamên.
Peking, May 23, 1909.
ON the 20th instant I received your Highness and your Excellencies' despatch requesting me to telegraph to Her Majesty's Government to direct the Governor...