¡This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[8205]
No. 1.
[March 9]
0 49 08
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Admiralty to Foreign Office.-(Received March 9.)
Admiralty, March 6, 1908.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, extracts from a general letter dated the 31st January from the Commander-in-chief on the China Station.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
C. I. THOMAS.
(Extract.)
Inclosure in No. 1.
Admiral Sir A. Moore to Admiralty.
"King Alfred," at Penang, January 31, 1908.
8. THE "Kent" arrived at Penang on the 12th December. She had, at the request of the Governor of Singapore and with my approval, remained at Singapore during the stay there of the two Chinese cruisers "Hai Chi" and "Hai Yong."
10. The "Flora," having been relieved as Senior Naval Officer's ship at Shanghae by the "Astræa," left that port on the 4th January, and, after anchoring off Tinghai to examine the Tsingtio Rock at the request of the Hydrographer, she carried out a satisfactory trial passage and arrived at Amoy on the 7th January. I had directed her to call there at the request of the British Consul, who informed me that disturbances amongst the Chinese were anticipated on the occasion of the Amoy races. Captain Nugent reported that thirty unarmed men were landed each day from each of the five foreign ships present, and attended nominally as spectators, but really to act if necessary. He estimates that about 10,000 Chinese were present on the race-course and another 10,000 outside. The crowd was inclined to get out of hand on the second day, and the Taotai stationed 200 soldiers and police around the race-course; and on the third day this force was strengthened, and the Taotai was present with an armed guard. The proceedings, however, passed off without trouble.
I have called the attention of His Britannic Majesty's Minister to the fact that it may not always be convenient to send one of His Majesty's ships to Amoy on similar occasions.
The "Flora" arrived at Hong Kong on the 12th January. I inspected her on the 23rd idem.
18. With reference to the augmented patrol of the West River and Canton Delta, the institution of which was reported in my submission of the 3rd December and in paragraph 13 of my last general letter, the progress of the negotiations with the Chinese authorities has already been fully reported.
The "Sainam" compensation claim having been paid by the Viceroy, and Commander Majendie of the "Cadmus," Senior Naval Officer at Canton, having, in company with Admiral Li Chun, inspected the re-organized Chinese Preventive Service and reported it to be satisfactory, the following vessels were withdrawn from the patrol on the 13th January:--
On the
One sloop ("Clio"), 3 destroyers, 3 torpedo-boats, 1 picket-boat.
23rd January His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton and Commander Majendie had an interview with the Viceroy, and having received his assurances on certain points under discussion, I gave directions for the final withdrawal of the remaining additional patrol vessels, 1 sloop ("Cadmus"), 2 destroyers, 1 torpedo-boat, and 1 picket-boat, returning to Hong Kong on the 24th instant.
The four torpedo-boats specially commissioned for patrolling service have now been paid off. A detailed report of this matter is being forwarded separately.
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