In any further communica tion on this subject, please quote
No.
10399/09.
and address-
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
London.
C.O.
10506
Rece REGE 25 MAR 09
FOREIGN OFFICE
March 20
Confidential.
Sir:
665
1909.
I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to ac-
Go15
knowledge the receipt of your letter 8123 of the 17th.
instant forwarding a Secret Despatch from the Governor
of Hong Kong with regard to the Island of Pratas in the
China Seas.
1
I am to state in reply that Sir Edward Grey con-
curs in the reply which Sir F. Lugard proposes to re-
turn to a question asked in the Hong Kong Legislative
Council, to the effect that no steps can be taken to
V
erect a Wireless Station on the islands as they are
claimed by China, but that the Chinese Government will
be acquainted, through His Majesty's Minister at Pe-
king, with the importance which would attach to a ty-
phoon Signal Station on the Pratas Shoal not merely to
Hong Kong but to the Southern Coasts of China.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Hampbell
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.