Confidential.
Sir,
C.O. 42136
327
1 DEC 04. Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 8th September, 1904.
I am directed to transmit to you for the consideration of the Chamber of Commerce the enclosed copy of a Despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris giving cover to an international Sanitary Convention drafted at a Conference held at Paris in November and December last, together with copy of the Report of the British Delegates at the Conference.
I am also to enclose translation of the principal clauses of the Draft Convention.
2.
The principal advantage that would accrue to this Colony by joining the new Convention would flow from the reduction of the incubation period of Plague from 10 days (as under the existing Convention) to five days.
The results of this reduction are set out in the first paragraph of Section E of the report of the British Delegates.
It is obvious that such reduction would greatly benefit shipping frequenting this Port.
3.
On the other hand the only provisions of the Convention, compliance with which presents difficulties, are the following:-
Destruction of Rats: Under Part I Chapter II Section 8 and Articles 21 (6) 22, 23, 24 (1 & 2).
This question is discussed on page 8 of the Report.
The Secretary,
Chamber of Commerce.