C.O.
33482
308
Received SEP 03
FOREIGN OFFICE,
September, 1903.
32059
Sir:-
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, on the subject of the accession of Hong Kong to the Venice Sanitary Convention.
With respect to the reply which Mr. Chamberlain proposes to send to the telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong, I am to state, that in Lord Lansdowne's opinion, the words "In case one Power shall denounce the Convention, such denunciation shall only affect the Power in question" should be added after the words "bound by it". Unless this addition is made, the Governor of Hong Kong might infer from the message that the denunciation by one Power would nullify the whole Convention, which is however not the case.
I am to enquire whether Mr. Chamberlain wishes any immediate communication on the subject to be addressed
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.