237
4. I have at the same time to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 105, f the 27th April,* enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to you by the Secretary to the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in reference to the recent disturbances.
(Confidential.)
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received June 23, 1899.) [Acknowledged by No. 212.]
THE Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to his To Mr. Ironside, letter of June 21, and is directed by the Secretary of State to transmit, No. 122 of June 23. for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, the accompanying copy of a telegram, as marked in the margin, relating to the dis- turbances at Kowloon.
Foreign Office, June 23, 1899.
Enclosure in No. 196.
PARAPHRASE of a TELEGRAM to MR. BAY-IRONSIDE, Peking, D. 1.5 p.m., June 23, 1899. You should inform Chinese Government that Her Majesty's Government require payment of the sum of $150,000 in consideration of the expenditure incurred owing to Chinese opposition to the occupation of the leased territory.
You may intimate to them that we might be disposed to forego payment of the whole or part of this sum, provided that in other matters satisfaction is given to us.
12276.
No. 197.
13623.
SIR,
No. 199.
I have, &o.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN,
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE.
(Confidential.)
Downing Street, June 23, 1899.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of the 28th ultimo,† containing some observations on the question of the extension of the northern frontier of the new territory and other matters connected generally with the subject.
2. My telegram of the 9th instant will have placed you in possession of the views of Her Majesty's Government, both as to the future boundary and the temporary occupation of Sham Chun, and I have nothing further to add at present. The only other question referred to in your despatch that I desire to notice at this moment is that of the reported purchases of land by a Chinese syndicate, on the strength of represen tations calculated to mislead the people. If it can be proved, as you appear to think probable, that land speculators have been spreading reports of intended confiscation by the British Government or making other false representations with a view to obtaining land cheaply, I am of opinion that their purchases should be annulled.
3. I shall be glad if you will follow this matter up, and give me further informa- tion on the subject.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE.
(Confidential.)
SIR,
Downing Street, June 23, 1899. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of the 7th April last, and to thank you for the explanations which you have given of the reasons for your visit to the Viceroy of Canton.
I have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
16312 8.
No. 200.
have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
13622.
No. 198.
Downing Street, June 23, 1899.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE. (No. 118.) SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 107, of the 28th April,‡t and its enclosures, in which you have given me some further details of the recent disturbances in connection with the taking over of the new territory.
2. I have read your despatch and enclosures with interest, and am confirmed in the favourable opinion which I expressed in my despatch, No. 96, of the 26th ultimo,§ as to your own action and the manner in which you have been supported both by civilian officials and by Her Majesty's naval and military forces. Without wishing to under- value in any way the services rendered by others, it is evident to me that much has been due to the energy of Mr. Lockhart, and to his local knowledge.
3. I have not failed to bring to the notice of the Secretary of State for War and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the manner in which you have spoken of the services rendered by the naval and military forces.
(Paraphrase.)
(Received 2.34
pm., June 24, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
WITH reference to your telegram of 13th inst.,§ much dissatisfaction felt here at possible retrocession of Sham Chun Valley.
May I suggest that, in addition to payment of the expenses (which are very small and will no doubt be squeezed from the inhabitants of the valley), restoration be made con- ditional upon the opening of the West River trade to foreign commerce upon the same terms as that carried on by Chinese vessels, giving our vessels the right of calling at all the river towns, even if only for passengers, should concession for cargo not be obtainable ; present concession, as interpreted by Chinese, is almost valueless. My proposal would make concession in accordance with the original intention, and would be of great im- portance to foreign trade; present position gives us the opportunity of effecting this arrangement, which would have far-reaching consequences.
• No. 194.
↑ No. 158.
‡ No. 171.
No. 169.
• No. 170.
† No. 172.
‡ No. 184.
No. 187.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO