13692 8.
209
No. 178.
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul,
Canton.
PRIVATE SECRETARY,
I have, &c.,
J. G. T. BUCKLE,
Per Colonial Secretary.
(Secret.)
SIR,
Enclosure 21 in No. 172.
His Excellency directed me to obtain in writing from the Commandant at Kowloon City a statement of the number of soldiers remaining in the walled city.
I have done so, and attach translation of the Commandant's reply to my letter asking for the information.
It appears from this letter that in addition to 200 soldiers and 100 braves in the walled city, there are still a number of soldiers at various out-stations in our territory. I understood from the Commandant when I saw him on Monday that these had all heen withdrawn within the walled city.
April 28, 1899.
SIB,
To the CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, Hong Kong.
F. H. M.
I BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your favour recently received, inquiring as to what number of soldiers now are remaining in the walled city, and in reply I beg to state that there are stationed in my yamên the Left and Right Regiments of 100 soldiers, styled the "Lin" soldiers, as my escort, and in the To Sze's* yamên and the four stations at the gates another two regiments of 100 soldiers, besides 100 braves, styled the " Yan" braves, who were stationed in the East and West Camps outside the walled city, and had after handing over the leased territory been transferred to the walled city. (Note: 200 soldiers and 100 braves in all.)
As to the names of various stations in the territory recently leased to you, I beg to inform you as follows:---
1. Cheung Kwan O.
2. Leung Shun Bay.
3. Jap Mün.
4. Kut O'Ka.
5. Sham Shui Po.
6. Nan Tao Island.
7. Ching E Tam.
8. Cheung Chau.
9. Ping Chau.
10. Shek Shun.
11. Yung Shu Wan.
12. Po Toi.
Belonging to the Left Regiment.
Belonging to the Right Regiment.
I have, under instructions received, directed them to return to the walled city within 10 days, while the 150 braves belonging to the Kowloon Customs Stations had on the 17th instant been transferred to the head station inside the walled city, where they temporarily reside now.
Dated April 27, 1899.
(Card enclosed.)
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received May 29, 1809.) [Answered by No,. 182.].
Foreign Office, May 27, 1899. I LAID before the Marquess of Salisbury, your letter of the 25th instant,* en- closing copies of telegraphic correspondence with the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the Northern Boundary of the territory leased to Her Majesty's Government on the mainland.
From Sir H. Blake's telegram of May 21st,† he would appear to recommend that if Sham Chun is to be held by the Colonial Government, the valley in which it is situated, as far as the bills beyond, should also be retained.--
Lord Salisbury desires to point out that action on the part of this country such as that suggested might give colour to the notion that Her Majesty's Government are themselves dismembering China, and would certainly be made use of by the Russian Minister at Peking to create distrust of Her Majesty's Government in the minds of the Tsungli-Yamên.
For this reason it is, in the opinion of His Lordship, important that the occupation of Chinese territory in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong should not be extended beyond what has been rendered necessary in consequence of the recent disturbances.
I am, &c.,
18777 8.
“SIR,
No. 174.
FRANCIS BERTIE.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Paraphrase.)
(Received 8.9 p.m., May 30, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 187.]
Just received following (translation) from Her Majesty's Consul at Canton :-
"May 27, 1899.--From Viceroy and Governor.
"For many years the relations between England and China have been cordial, and all questions have been dealt with according to treaty. Now, however, the British Government has suddenly sent soldiers to occupy Sham Chun and Kowloon City, and has forced the military and cívil officials, and the soldiers sent there at your request to preserve order, to take themselves elsewhere. I, the Viceroy, have written twice to enquire (into) these proceedings, and received no reply. We, the Viceroy and Governor, are now sending the original Delimitation Commissioner, Taotai Wang, to interview Sir Henry Blake and ascertain from him in detail the reason for these proceedings, and ask how international business is to be conducted hereafter.
Trusting that you will inform Sir Henry Blake, &c.”
..
I declined (to) receive Wang. If the Viceroy wants to see me, he should come himself, jast se I went to see him. But, pending full instructions from you, I do not see anything to be gained by any communication.
• To 8se=
Captain.
• No. 167.
† No. 163.
688
#D
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
TTIC.O. 882
لسلسسلسلا
5
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO