CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904 — Page 108

parsimony, timidity, or want of patriotic spirit are

allowed to prevail.

Trusting that your Committee will take up this

urgent question with the promptitude and vigour

neeued to secure for it that immediate attention

so greatly desired here.

I am, &c.,

(Signed)

R. Chatterton Wilcox,

Chaimman.

topy.

C. O.

7360 106

PE & MA. 041

FOREIGN OFFICE,

February 6th, 1904.

Sir: -

I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to ac-

knowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo

in which you enclose a copy of a letter from the Hong-

Kong Branch of the China Association relating to the

opening of the port of Walchow and to the Kowloon-

Canton Railway.

With regard to the opinion expressed by the Hong-

Kong Branch, and shared by your Committee, that the

opening of the port of Walchow should not be deferred

until Article VIII of the Treaty of September 7th,

1902 has been accepted by the Treaty Powers, I am

to point out that, as the opening of that port forms

part of the consideration to be granted by the Chinese

Goverment in return for the payment of the surtax

under the above-mentioned Article, His Majesty's Govern-

The Honorary Secretary,

to the China Association,

159, Cannon Street,

E. C.

ment