No./02.
Hongkong.
sir,
losed separate.
bag.
egypt March, 1903.
C.O.
Government House,
use16012
491
482
Hongkong, 31st. March, 1903,
7 VAY
I have the honour to transmit as requested
a Petition forwarded to my Private Secretary on the 30th.
instant, which was the first authentic information that I had
of its existence. I enclose copies of the covering letter to
my Secretary with his reply.
2.
The expression of good will and confidence
on the part of the Chinese inhabitants is of course gratifying
to me, but I feel it my duty to point out that the Petition
is from the Chinese inhabitants exclusively, and I have no
reason to assume that its prayer would represent the wishes
of any section of the European Community. In the answer to
Dr. Ho Kai attention has been called to the salutary rule by
which the duration of a Governor's administration is deter-
mined.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P..
8cc..
&C...
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
Governor, &c..