FOREICH
OFFICE
141
C.
1414
FOREIGN OFFICE, &
JanuaRESS OLAN 32
2966
01
Sir:-
I laid before the Marquess of Lansdowne your
letter of the 6th instant respecting the leased
territory at HongKong, and I am to state that His
Lordship concurs in Mr. Secretary Chamberlain's
proposal to inform the Governor, in reply to his en-
quiry that the lease of the Islands confers upon
His Majesty the usual territorial rights over waters
within the three mile limit.
With reference to the statement in paragraph 2
of your letter that this question is one of special
importance in regard to the waters West of Lantao
which it is necessary to police in order to prevent
piracy, I am to say that Article 52 of the Treaty
of Tientsin provides that "British ships of War com-
"ing for no hostile purpose or being engaged in the
"pursuit of pirates, shall be at liberty to visit
"all ports within the dominions of the Emperor of
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
*China