2
need not consist of more than three persons. The observations are of a simple nature, relating merely to readings of the barometer, force and direction of the wind, and other weather indications, and do not require to be made by an expert staff. Communication with the mainland of China could no doubt be undertaken without much expense by the Chinese naval anthorities at Canton.
4. Should the Chinese Government adopt this suggestion, which I shall be glad if you can see your way to press upon them, this Government will be ready to co-operate in receiving and transmitting the observations to Canton and elsewhere as may be arranged with the Chinese local authorities.
5. The director of the Hong Kong Observatory would also, if desired, undertake the instruction of the staff to be sent to Pratas in the method of taking observations.
I have, &c.
F. D. LUGARD.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
3
ment should justify their claims to the atol of Pratas, and the recognition of these claims by His Majesty's Government, by establishing an observation station on the atoll.
I understand that a question has arisen between the Japanese and Chinese Governments in regard to the operations of some Japanese subjects on the atoll, and it appears to me that a suggestion at this juncture in the sense proposed might be open to misconstruction. My Japanese colleague could hardly fail to regard it, no matter how carefully advanced, as an act of intervention of a scarcely friendly character, while the Chinese authorities would probably interpret it as an encouragement to present a more stubborn front to the Japanese representations. These considerations, which may not have occurred to your Excellency at the date of your letter, seem to me to render the present moment inopportune for putting forward a request which, if there were no discussion on the subject of the atoll between Japan and China, would be perfectly reasonable and advantageous.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
My Lord,
Governor Sir F. Lugard to the Earl of Crewe,
February 4, 1909. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's Secret despatch of the 23rd December, 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 these claims.
2. The Honourable 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 Chinese Government, through the British Minister at Peking, with the importance which would attach to a typhoon signal station on the Pratas shoal not merely to Hong Kong, but to the southern coasts of China.
I have, &c.
(Telegraphic.)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
The Earl of Crewe to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
F. D. LUGARD.
Downing Street, April 7, 1909. YOUR Secret telegram of the 4th February. No objection to proposed reply.
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Question asked by the Honourable H, E. Pollock, K.C., in the Legislative Council.
WILL the Government consider the advisability of making arrangements for the signalling of typhoons by wireless telegraphy from one of the Pratas group of
islands ?
Has the Government any information to communicate to the Council on this subject F
Sir,
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
Peking, May 6, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 21st April suggesting that, in return for the services rendered by the Hong Kong Observatory to shipping frequenting the south coasts of China, the Chinese Govern-
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Porter to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 48.)
Conton, April 27, 1909. Sir,
IN continuation of Mr. Fox's despatches Nos. 27 and 32 of the 16th and 23rd March last respectively, on the subject of the alleged annexation of the Pratas group by Japan, I have the honour to report that, judging from recent conversations with Mr. Segawa, the Japanese consul, and two of the Viceroy's foreign secretaries, the question seems now to be in a fair way towards an amicable settlement.
Mr. Segawa some days ago assured me that, so soon as the Chinese Government produced proof of Chinese sovereignty over the Pratas Islands, Japan would recognise it. The Japanese Government felt, however, that Mr. Nishizawa ought to be treated with due consideration, in view of his outlay in erecting buildings and plant to work the phosphate deposits. To this end they would propose either a lease of the island for a term of years or a concession to work the deposits on payment of a royalty.
If China would agree to this there would be no further difficulty.
Taotais Yen and Wu, who called upon me on separate days, have assured me that the Viceroy has no intention of insisting upon the unconditional evacuation of the island by Mr. Nishizawa. Subject to the full recognition of China's rights, the provincial Government would have no objection to considering either of the alternatives proposed by Mr. Segawa.
Taotai Wu, who called the day after Taotai Yen, assured me that a preliminary agreement on the above basis had already been arrived at.
In yesterday's Chinese newspapers a telegram from the Viceroy to the Wai-wu Pu is published, to the effect that the Japanese consul has now recognised Chinese rights to the Pratas group, so it would seem as if there is a likelihood of the question being shortly settled,
Mr. Segawa told me that he had been much embarrassed in dealing with the Viceroy by the attitude of the native press, which had been bitterly hostile, while the actions of the Self-government Society and other associations had very nearly succeeded in reviving the practically dead boycott movement.
He had endeavoured, without success, to get into touch with the newspaper editors, and he spoke very pessimistically of the dwindling influence of Japan in the south of China, which had been intensified by recent events.
I have, &c.
HAROLD PORTER.
P.S.-Copies of this despatch have been sent to his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong and to his Excellency Adımıral Lambton.
H. P.
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