Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong. 14th February, 1904.
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 8th instant enclosing a translation of a note received from the Director-General of Telegraphs regarding the removal of the Sham Shui Po blockhouse, I am directed to request you to be so good as to inform His Excellency that this Government cannot consent to allow the blockhouse, poles and telegraph lines therein mentioned to remain where they are at present unless they are taken over by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. The circumstances of the New Territory are not analogous to those of European concessions in the Treaty Ports of China, inasmuch as for the period of the 99 years lease the New Territory is in every respect British Territory and wholly subject to British Administration. This Government must therefore insist upon the Chinese Authorities taking the necessary action without further delay.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) A. M. Thomson,
Colonial Secretary.
Britannic Majesty's Consul-General,
Shanghai.