15.1
them that the results of neglect to observe the stipulations of the Convention would be serious.
He reported on the 20th
April that he had carried out these instructions.
In consequence of further reports from the Governor of Hong Kong, I found it necessary to instruct Mr. Bax-Ironside on the 26th April to inform the Yamen that Her Majesty's Government ୧୧୪୮
had been most painfully impressed by the recent occurrences at Yowloon and the resistance which had been made to the execution of the provisions of the Convention, that Her Majesty's Government were convinced that the repeated attacks made on the British force by Chinese troops in uniform could not have occurred without effective concurrence on the part of the Chinese local authorities, and that this view wus confirmed by the refusal of the Viceroy of Canton to remove his troops from the territory leused to Great Britain and by the capture of Chinese military flage.
Further, that Her Majesty's Government had seen instructions which had been sent from Canton to the Officer Commanding the forts on the coast to the effect that if more thun three British men-of-war entered the harbour they were to be fired on.
Mr. Bax-Ironside was to inform the Yamen that Her Majesty's Government would be compelled to ask for satisfaction for these grave injuries, and that they reserved their demands pending further consideration of the form which they should take.
Mr. Bax-Ironside made a communication to the Yamen in the above sense at an interview on the 29th April. In reply to his obuerva- tions, the Chinese Minister indignantly denied that the Chinese authorities were responsible for attucks by local mobs on British troops. Such mobs in the south of China constantly used false flags and military clothing.
On the 30th April I further instructed Mr. Bax-Ironside to state to the Yamen that, unless proper consideration were given by the Chinese Government to the representations made to them, Her Majesty's Government must conclude that they were ignorant of, or had no control over, the proceedings of the Viceroy of Canton and the local authorities, and would have to deal locally with the matters at issue without referring to the Government at veking.
Mr. Bax-Ironside addressed a note in the above sense to the Yamen on the ist instant.
These repeated representations made to the Yamen led to no result, and after more than a week had elapsed, the Viceroy of Canton not having removed the Chinese troops from Kowloon city, and information having reached the Governor of dong Kong of pre- concerted plans for the invasion of the leased territory by large numbers of rouche from the northern boundary, the Governor was authorized to deal with the matter locally and, with approval of Her Majesty's Government, Fowloon city and Cham Chun were occupied by the British forces.
In view of the fact that the Chinese Government do not hold themselves responsible for attacks by local mobs on British troops, the obligation falls upon Her Majesty's Government of performing the duty which is usually performed by the Jovereign of the country, but which the Chinese Government decline. After the recent experience which 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 the walls of that city.
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