!
Enclosure I
RECE
26
Goverme 12
5 .eptember 1912.
90
Your Excellency,
In continuata of my letter of
the 30th.ultime, I have the honour to inform you that
the Chinese authorities are prepared to u dertake a joint expedition with a British Haval contingent against the pirates who are known to infeat the islands of Wong Kum (there apparently are two islands of that name).
The Chinese authorities havo, however, urged that it la desirable that while the blackade of the lal unds may properly be undertaken by joint forces, it is very desirable that only the forces of one nationality should
undertake the operations on land. The country on the
islands is broken and it will be necessary for the troop
In these circumstances
to operate in independant bedies.
I recognize, and I trust that Tour Excellency will recognize, that it is very undesirable, especially when troops like Chinese are engaged which are not under very perfect discipline, that the troops of mere than one nationality should undertake these somewhat difficult
operations.
ir, Bevera
in an interview which the Colonial Secretary had with the secretary for Foreign Affairs and with the Chief of Police of the Canter Coverment, »cipulated, by my direction, that if Your Excellency ces.sented to allow the Chinese alone te ceaduct the land operatio: š, the claim of the Fertuguese Government to any territory in dispute would in no way be prejudiced. This was clearly understood by the Chinese represe tatives and I al placing the stipulation on record in a letter
addressod