British troops, the obligation falls on Her
Majesty's Government of performing the duty
which is usually performed by the sovereign of
the country, but which the Chinese Government
After the recent experience which
declined.
they have had not only of the worthlessness of
the protection extended by the Chinese
garrison at Kowloon, but of the additional
danger involved in its presence, it is
impossible for Her Majesty's Government to
allow the resumption of Chinese authority
within that city".
14. In October, 1899, both in Peking and in
London, the Chinese requested the restoration
of Chinese jurisdiction in Kowloon City.
Both requests were met by a refusal and a
reference to the Secretary of State's Note of
30th May, 1899.
15. On the 14th November, 1899, the Chinese
Government drew the attention of H.M. Chargé
d'Affaires in China to the stipulation of the
Convention that within the City of Kowloon the
Chinese officials stationed there should
continue to exercise jurisdiction, and
requested that consent should be given to the
The
restoration of Chinese jurisdiction.
matter was also raised by the Chinese
authorities at an interview with Sir Claude
MacDonald, Her Majesty's Minister, on 14th
December, 1899, at which the latter pointed
out that while according to the Convention
Chinese jurisdiction was to be retained "except
in so far as may be inconsistent with
military requirements", the exercise of
Chinese jurisdiction in Kowloon City had been
abundantly/
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN.