Government House, Hongkong, 16th January, 1902.
No. 78
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit for your consideration the enclosed copy of a letter from Mr. Scott, His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Canton, relative to the Viceroy's wish for some relaxation of the strict prohibition now enforced regarding the export of Arms from Hongkong and other places into China.
2. I have caused Mr. Scott to be informed that while this Government is most anxious to cooperate with the Cantonese Authorities in the suppression of piracy, especially in the neighbourhood of the West River, it is unable without the sanction of His Majesty's Government to allow any such relaxation of the terms of the Proclamation at present.
3. I would suggest that in considering this matter it might be well for His Majesty's Government to consult with Sir Henry Blake before his return to this Colony, as I understand that he discussed the question at some length shortly before his departure for England, with Mr. Morgan, the Commissioner of Customs at Canton. For my own part I am inclined to add that if any relaxation is allowed, no Arms or Ammunition should be allowed to leave Hongkong for Canton without such restrictions as will cause their use to be rigidly...
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&C...
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