HIS MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL,
SHANGHAI, Reg'd 18 AUG 04.
June 7th, 1904.
128.
Sir:
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.31 of the 31st ultimo with reference to the disposal of the Supao prisoners after the expiration of their sentence.
The Municipal Council had made arrangements, when it seemed likely that the prisoners should be released in consequence of the Chinese Authorities not agreeing to the sentence proposed by Mr. Giles, to put the prisoners on board a British steamer and send them to Hongkong, and the men had agreed to go and had expressed their view that they would be safe there. I have no doubt that the Council will be prepared to make similar arrangements for sending away the prisoners when their sentences have expired. It is quite certain that they would not be safe here.
As regards the clause added to the sentence providing for the removal from the settlement, it was the opinion...
Ernest M. Satow, G.C.M.G.,
&c., &c., &c.,
His Majesty's Minister,
Peking.