NOTE.
A 143
22-
*
The Japanese have made an offer to the
Government of the Portuguese Colony of Macao for a
contract
(1) to build a waterworks at a cost of $1,500,000;
(2)
to purchase the whole site of a new inland port
(for several million dollars cash);
...
(3)
(4)
to establish and operate a line of 2,000 ton
cargo steamers to run between Hong Kong
Canton Timor;
to pay off existing debts of established
industries.
In the opinion of the Macao Government all this
would mean prosperity for that Colony, but they are afraid
that it would also mean virtual Japanese control of the
territory.
Macao, it is claimed, has excellent aerodrome
sites and a new harbour which could give a depth of
20 feet after short period of dredging. Deep water
facilities for shipping at Colowan Island, which is
a small island near Macao and included in that Portuguese
Colony.
For many years the Macao Electric Light Works
has been controlled by a British Managing Director
(Mr. Gallion) who has for years past been the chief
British resident in that Colony. In January he went to
the Consul General at Canton at the urgent request of
the Governor of Macao to give the information about the
Japanese application. It is supposed that the Governor's
idea was "to give British interests an opportunity to
counter Japanese economic penetration in South China area".
Mr. Gallion
Some 40 miles from Hong Kong and 80 from Canton off the mouth of the Canton River.