CRET.
Hongkong.
My Lord,
RECO
C.O.
8123
REG 6 MAR 09
Government House,
Hongkong,
4th February, 1909.
45417
I have the honour to acknowledge
Your Lordship's Despatch Secret of December 23rd, with
enclosures relative to the Atoll of Pratas. I observe in
the letter from the Foreign Office that Sir E. Grey
considers that China has undoubted claims to sovereignty
over the Island, and in view of the fact that Your Lordship's
Despatch is marked Secret, I have the honour to enquire
whether there is any objection to my alluding to this fact
and stating that His Majesty's Government recognise those
claims.
2.
The Honourable Mr. H. E. Pollock,
K.C., has given notice that he intends to ask the question
enclosed in the Legislative Council, and if there is no
objection, I would propose to reply that as the Islands are
claimed by China, no steps to erect a Wireless Station
can be taken there, but that I propose to acquaint the
RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE EARL OF CREWE,
&c., &c., &c.