108
protection of matshed, saying that villagers had assumed threatening attitude, he would hold matshed during the night, but wished to be relieved as soon as possible. I sent immediately 100 men 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in torpedo boat destroyer; their instructions were to withdraw British subjects, avoid hostile attitude, except in case of an attack or relief meeting with opposition. Force accompanied by Colonial Secretary; he will warn inhabitants of dangers of opposition. Viceroy ordered 300 men to district 2nd April, but they had not arrived at this moment. Commandant of Police just arrived; attack upon his party very serious. Chinese soldiers behaved well. Matshed burned, party compelled to retreat over hills before arrival of troops. I do not propose to take over before 17th April; troops of Viceroy keeping order and protecting working parties till date named.
8642 8.
8442
8.
109
No. 87.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIB H. A. BLAKE.
(Paraphrase.)
(Sent 5.40 p.m., April 5, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 88,]
In reply to your telegrams of 1st, 3rd, and 4th instant. Your action generally approved, but unless matter very urgent do not repeat visit to Canton without instructions. As to date of taking over, use discretion; but when date is finally fixed inform me by telegram, in order that Order in Council may be published here. No doubt you will take all steps possible to allay Chinese prejudice and suspicion. As to removal of Customs stations, Chinese Government is being communicated with.
No. 86.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL offICE.
(Secret.)
(Received April 5, 1899.)
SIB,
Foreign Office, April 5, 1899, I HAVE laid before the Marquess of Salisbury your letter of the 29th ultimo., relative to the proposed removal of the Chinese Customs Stations from Hong Kong, and the newly-leased territory.
I am directed by His Lordship to transmit to you, to be laid before Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a telegram which he has addressed to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, in reply to his telegrams No. 79, of March 22, and No. 80, of March 23.†
In accordance with the suggestion in the 6th paragraph of your letter, Lord Salisbury has requested Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, to endeavour to ascertain what customs arrangements have been made between the German and Chinese Govern- ments under Article V. of the Treaty for the lease of Kiao-chau.
8558.
No. 88. !
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to Ma. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received 11.25 a.m., April 6, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 91.]
In reply to your telegram of yesterday's date,† official publication of Order in Council, April 8th, take over new territory April 17th. Will you sanction exemption from provisions of local Ordinance 21 of 1896 ? No British troops in territory.
Enclosure in No. 86.
I am, &t.,
F. H. VILLIERS.
The MARQUESS OF SALISBURY to Mr. BAX-IRONNIDE.
(No. 68.) (Telegraphic.)
P.
Foreign Office, April 5, 1899.
HONG KONG Extension customs arrangements: Sir C. MacDonald's telegrams
Nos. 79 and 80 of 22nd and 23rd March.
It is urged by Colonial Office that smuggling question is in the main represented by opium question, so far as concerns China,
It is opium that is spoken of in Sir R. Hart's letter of the 27th June and by Yamên in letter of 29th May, and all previous Agreements. and correspondence have invariably referred to opium. It will be possible to deal by Proclamation with the export of arms question.
Her Majesty's Government are doing their best to fulfil pledges to Chinese Govern- ment in proposing to collect opium revenue and carefully police leased territory with a view to the prevention of smuggling.
You should inform Chinese Government that Her Majesty's Government regret they cannot agree that, either in the Colony or the new extension, any form of Chinese customs jurisdiction should be permitted to continue.
8617 8.
(Confidential.)
No. 89.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received April 7, 1899.)
THE Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and with reference
Mr. Ironside, Tels. Nos. 91 and 92,
April 7,
to his letter of the 5th instant, is directed by the Secretary of State to 'transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State the accom- panying copies of telegrams, as marked in the margin, relating to the
Hong Kong Extension. Foreign Office,
April 7, 1899.
Enclosure 1 in No. 89.
PARAPHRASE of a TELEGRAM from MR. BAX-IRONGIDE, Peking.
D. 10.7 .m., R. 10.40 4.m.,
7 April.
Apr 7. No. 91. On receipt of your telegram of 3rd instant, I at once made representation to Yamon. They wired to Canton and Viceroy, who reports that he has^~^ taken precautions against any further disturbances, and arranged matters with Sir Henry
Blake.
• No. 79.
↑ Enclosure in No. 78.
* Nos. 80, 82, and 85.
↑ No. 87.
‡ No. 86.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference --
TELEC.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
110
Enclosure 2 in No. 89.
PARAPHRASE of a TELEGRAM from ME. BAX-IRONSIDE, Peking.
D. 10.7 a.m., R. 10.40 a.m., 7 April.
April 7. No. 92. Have addressed to Yamên a note in accordance with instructions conveyed in your telegram, No. 63.
8634.
No. 90.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received April 8, 1899.)
SIR,
Foreign Office, April 7, 1899. WITH reference to your letters of the 22nd and 29th ultimo,* I am directed by the To Loh Feng Lub,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copy April 7, 1899.
of a note, as marked in the margin, respecting the Chinese Customs Stations near Hong Kong.
F. H. VILLIERS.
I am, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 90.