Cop. (13228). C. O. 16837 463 Rec 11 MAY 08
HONGKONG, January 6th, 1903.
Dear Sir:-
We have the honour to address you here, officially, with regard to the matter upon which one of us, Mr. Langton Wilkinson, has, by the same opportunity, written for privately, viz. the possibility of the annexation to the British Crown of the Atoll and Reef of Pratas, which lies in a direct line between Hong Kong and the North point of Luzon, about 175 miles due S. E. of the former island, and equidistant about 240 miles due S.W. from the Southernmost point of Formosa, and due N.W. from the Northernmost point of Luzon.
It is necessary to enter, in some measure, into the history of the island in order to emphasize the legality of the claim which we are now submitting, through you, to the consideration of His Majesty's Ministers whose departments are chiefly concerned
H. Spencer Wilkinson, London. Esq.,
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