3.
65
Telegraph Office until the Governor's consent had
been obtained. "This is", he says, "due to Kong
Siu-lui"; and he begs that an order be issued for
the arrest and punishment of Mr. Kong, and that I
should be instructed "not to interfere any further,
in the interests of the sovereignty of China".
Mr. Lu must, of course, know that his allegation
against Mr. ang is entirely false, and that Mr. Kong
was definitely instructed by me not to hand over
charge of the office, although personally willing
to do so. In view of this fact, I shall be glad
if you will be good enough definitely to inform the
Chinese authorities concerned that Er Lu Chih-ytin
is not acceptable to this Government as Superintendent
of the Chinese Telegraph Office in this Colony.
4.
In order that there may be no mis-
understanding as to the attitude of the Hong Kong
Government in this matter, I have the honour to
inform you that, before a change is made in the
holder of the post of Superintendent of the Chinese
Telegraph Office in Hong Kong, this Government will
require prior notification through you of the person
when it is proposed to appoint, together with some
description of his previous services and
qualifications for the post, in order that objection
may be taken by this Government, if the person
nominated is unacceptable. This Government will
also require assurances that the Superintendent, when
appointed, will omfine himself to his work and
refrain from all political activities.
It is
/ desired