127
126
2. Mr. Chamberlain agrees with the view expressed by Sir Henry Blake in the last of these telegrams, that these disturbances could not have taken place without the connivance of the provincial authorities, and is strongly of opinion that in order to secure effectually the peace and good order of the new territory it is absolutely necessary that the village of Sham Chun should be included within the boundary. He would also suggest that under these altered circumstances, and in view of the clear proof that the Chinese authorities have acted with bad faith in this matter, Her Majesty's Government are entitled to require that the Customs stations should be immediately withdrawn from the new territory, inasmuch as it was only in the hope of securing that the formal transfer of territory should take place without disturbance, that permission was given for this continuance until other arrangements could be made.
3. Mr. Chamberlain would submit that, if Lord Salisbury sees no objection to the proposals contained in the foregoing paragraph, it would be desirable that Her Majesty's representative at Pekin should be instructed by telegraph to inform the Tsung-li-Yamên that these views are held by Her Majesty's Government.
9624 S.
No. 113.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
them. Flags captured on Saturday show that the attacking party included companies of Chinese Militia. The Viceroy's attitude is most suspicious.
A pleasure party visiting Castle Peak Bay yesterday was fired upon, and a great number of men with flags were observed on the hilla
I am informed that the villages are terrorised by strangers.
Village representatives yesterday presented two silk British flags, requesting that one should be sent to the Queen and the other hoisted.
9714
S.
No. 115.
GOVERNOR STR H. A. BLAKE to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received at noon, April 18, 1899.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Copy to War Office, April 18, 1899, L.F.]
[Answered by No. 116.]
Yesterday there was a further attack, which was repulsed and two guns were
SIB,
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Downing Street, April 17, 1899.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquess of Lansdowne, a copy of telegraphic correspondence, as noted in the margin, respecting the recent disturbances in the newly acquired territory at Hong Kong.
Governor, 15 April; Governor, 16 April; Governor, 16 April ; to Governor, 16 April: to Governor, 17 April.
Copies of the first and third of these telegrams have already been informally communicated to you.
9697
B
No. 114.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
captured.
9697
No. 116.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to Governon Sm H. A. BLAKE.
(Sent 6.50 p.m., April 18, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 127.]
Your telegrams of April 17 and 18. Repeat demand to Vioaroy to remove troops, naming specific date by which removal must take place; if not removed by that time telegraph at once for instructions.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received 8.50 p.m., April 17, 1899.) TELEGRAM.
(Paraphrase.)
[Copy to War Office, April 18, 1899, L.F.] [Answered by No. 116.]
I have sent the following telegram to, and have received the following reply from, the Consul at Canton :-
"Inform Viceroy British flag hoisted; request immediate removal of all Chinese
troops and officials from leased territory, except Customs official.."
He replied :--
"I at once communicated with Viceroy, who sent verbal communication that he
declines to send reply; no hope of action on the part of Viceroy,"
Six hundred Chinese troops are in Kowloon city; at interview with Mandarin to- day I elicited fact that these soldiers were sent there on Friday to protect Customs, which means opposition of force to their removal. Presence of such a force is most incon- venient, as it necessitates withdrawal from the garrison of a force sufficient to control
* Nos. 105, 106, 107, 108 and 110.
9697 8.
(Secret.)
SIB,
No. 117.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
[Answered by No. 131.]
Downing Street, April 18, 1899.
In continuation of the letter from this office of the 17th instant, respecting the recent outbreak in the new territory at Hong Kong, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Marquess of Salisbury, paraphrases of two telegrams* from the Governor, reporting that further disturbances have taken place.
2. I am also to enclose a copy of a telegram which has been sent to Sir Henry Blake, and to point out that this later information strongly confirms the views expressed in paragraph 2 of the letter from this Department referred to above, viz., that the village of Sham Chun should be included within the boundary, and that the Customs stations should be immediately withdrawn from the new territory.
• Nos. 114 and 115.
† No. 112.
No. 116.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
זון
Reference :--
C.O. 882
5
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
128