Sir:-
FOREIGN OFFICE,
12th March 1903.
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th
instant transmitting a copy of a despatch from the
Governor of Hongkong on the subject of the recent dis-
covery of a plot to seize Canton and to overthrow the
Provincial Government.
I am to express His Lordship's concurrence in
the proposal to approve the action of the Colonial
Authorities.
Lord Lansdowne does not intend to make any com-
munication to the Chinese Minister, in reply to his
Note of the 25th ultimo, until he has received the
observations of the Secretary of State for the Colo-
nies which were requested in the letter from this
Department of the 5th instant as to the answer which
should be returned to him.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.