CONFIDENTIAL
(7464)
No. 118
(Enclosure 1)
The Taung-li Yamen to Gir C. MacDonald.
(Translation.)
Becret.)
sir,
COPY
Peking, December 24, 1899.
ON the 14th instant when your 4xcellency came to the Yamen we laid before you our views with regard to the city of Kowloon. Chamchun, we said, had already been restored to China, but the conduct of affairs within the city of Kowloon should, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, be administered by Chinese officials.
Your Excellency was good enough to consent to transmit our arguments to your Government.
We desire, however, to aguin place the matter carefully before your Excellency.
The position as regards the city of Kowloon is, without doubt, analogous to that of the city of Kinchow, situate within the leased area at Port Arthur. If the city of Kowloon be not administered by Chinese officials, it is to be feared that Russia will, in consequence, conceive designs, which will certainly be greatly to the detriment of China.
China and England are friends of long standing, and we care of opinion that the British Foreign Office would be unwilling that another nation should have u pretext on account of this Kowloon affair.
Should there be fear that there will be any prejudice to the military requirements of Hong Kong, we would be most willing to discuss and arrange in the fullest auorer such measures as would be deemed advisable, und it would be incumbent on China to order their careful observance.
In sending your excellency this special secret letter, we beg you to transmit these arguments in full detail, and without loss of time, by telegraph to the Foreign Office
of your honourable nation. We beg to express our fervent hope that, in consideration for the welfare of China, her officials will be permitted to exercise jurisdiction within the city of Kowloon in conformity with the Convention.
Tie beg the favour of a reply.
(Curds of Prince and Ministers of
the Yamen.)
8.