HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CONSULATE,
AMOY.
May 13th. 1899.
535
Sir:-
I have the honour to state that I shall as desired forward your letter to His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong in which you ask that he will be good enough to detach an officer to examine the island of Kulangsu with a view to the erection of forts; but I would suggest that the scope of the enquiry should not be confined to Kulangsu, but should embrace the defence of Amoy generally. I beg to point out a grave objection to the erection of forts on Kulangsu, which may have escaped your notice. It is the place of residence of a cosmopolitan European community, and being unfortified would in time of war enjoy immunity from attack. The erection of a fort on Kulangsu would change this pleasant state of things, and should China become embroiled in hostilities with any power, Kulangsu would be exposed to bombardment, by which the lives and property of Foreigners would be imperilled,
Taotai of Amoy.
the