[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
93
C.O. 23743
[June 28.]
SECTION 1.
PECD
16 JUL OS)
No. 1
[24075]
(No. 170.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 28.)
Peking, May 8, 1909. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a correspondence which has passed between the governor of Hong Kong and myself respecting the atoll of
Pratas.
Sir F. Lugard, it will be observed, suggested that in return for the services which the Hong Kong Observatory renders to shipping the Chinese Government should justify their claims to the atoll, and the recognition of those claims by His Majesty's Government, by establishing an observation station on the atoll.
In my reply of the 6th instant I stated the reasons which appeared to me to render it inexpedient that we should put forward a claim of this kind at a moment when a question in regard to the operations of certain Japanese on the atoll was still under the consideration of the Governments at Tokió and Peking.
way
Since then I have received a despatch from the acting British consul-general at Canton (copy enclosed), from which it appears that the question is in a fair towards an amicable settlement; and should Mr. Porter's anticipations be realised there may be an opportunity of submitting Sir F. Lugard's suggestion to the favourable consideration of the Chinese Government.
The accompanying photos, which have reached me from a confidential source, may be of interest as showing the nature and extent of the Japanese operations on the
atoll.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Governor Sir F. Lugard to Sir J. Jordan.
April 21, 1909. WITH reference to my Secret despatch of the 15th September last, have the honour to transmit the enclosed copy of a despatch which I addressed on the 4th February to the Secretary of State for the Colonies enquiring whether I was at liberty to state, in answer to a question put by a member of the Legislative Council, that the atoll of Pratas is claimed by China, together with a copy of a telegram which I have now received from Lord Crewe stating that there is no objection to my so replying.
2. You will have learned from my despatches of the 23rd July and 4th September that the institution of an observation station with wireless telegraph installation on the atoll would be of immense advantage during the typhoon season for the forecasting of storms in the southern portion of the China sea, and a protection to all shipping frequenting the southern coasts of China.
At present Cauton, Swatow, and other neighbouring Chinese ports are dependent for warning of approaching typhoons upon the Hong Kong Observatory, an expensive institution which gratuitously and in the common interests of humanity furnishes directly to the Chinese anthorities at Canton through the Imperial Maritime Customs, and generally by its published warnings to all shipping, both foreign and native, frequenting the southern seas, information regarding the approach of typhoons based on the daily reports received from the various observation stations with which it is in com- munication.
3. In return for this service, which this Government gladly renders to the Chinese authorities and to the Chinese public, I have to suggest that the Chinese Government should justify their claims to the atoll, and the recognition of those claims by His Majesty's Government, by establishing an observation station on the atoll.
No great expense need be incurred in so doing. It is estimated that the cost of a suitable wireless telegraph installation would cost from 4001 to 500l., exclusive of the cost of inexpensive buildings for the operating room, engine house, and living quarters of the staff, which
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