herself at present with the administration of any greater tract of territory than what is absolutely essential to the security of the defences of Port Arthur and Talienwan.
Of these two prototypes, it is suggested that the action of Germany might preferably be followed, as that Power has taken up the adjacent port of Kiao-chou.
If, with the same radius as that which defines the German sphere of interest from the anchorage of Kiao-chou, a circle be described with the anchorage of Wei-hai Wei as a centre, it will be seen on the rough sketch map attached to this note that the circumference includes the Shangtung promontory as far as its eastern and southern shores, along which there are several bays where landing is practicable. In one of these bays-that of Yang-cheng or Yung-ching-the Japanese actually disembarked the two divisions of their army which captured Wei-hai Wei in January, 1895. On the west, the radius of 36 ses miles reaches nearly to Chifu Harbour (a Treaty port).
About 25 miles south-west of Wei-hai Wei a mountain range, whose highest point is marked 2,900 feet on the Admiralty chart, occupies the centre of the promontory, and it is suggested that from this central range lines of watersheds will be found to extend in a northerly direction to the shore a few miles east of Ning-hai, and in a southerly direction to the shore near Mount Davis. These watersheds would afford a suitable and easily defined boundary for the British sphère of interest. Outlying islands should, as in the German case, also be included.
If a simpler definition be required, it may be found in the meridian line of 121° 40′ east longitude.
The extent of the territory to be leased for purposes of defence and occupation is more difficult to define, in the absence of detailed surveys, and will have to be determined on the spot. It would, in general terms, be dependent on the positions which now are, or eventually might become, necessary for the establishment of a naval base with all its accessories, and for the construction of forts, batteries, barracks, hospitals, sanitaria, water supply, and civil establishments, both on shore and on the islands; and beyond these should comprise a belt or zone about five miles in width, to give security to the defences, and allow of a sufficiency of cultivation, gardens, woods, sites for private houses and native villages, and other amenities within the control of the British local administration.
The approximate limits of the leased territory would, therefore, comprise a tract from five to ten miles inland from the shores of the harbour. They are indicated by diagonal hachures on the sketch map.
2. Object of the acquisition of Wei-hai Wei.
In view of the proximity of the Gulf of Pechili to Peking, the acquisition of Port Arthur and Talienwan by Russia, combined with the Manchurian railways, must greatly increase Russian influence at Peking. In a lesser degree, the occupation of Kiso-chou by Germany brings that Power into a better position to exercise pressure on the Chinese Government.
The establishment of a fortified naval base at Wei-hai Wei will act as a counterpoise to these influences by affording a secure harbour with the requisite appliances, and a coaling station for the British squadron acting in these waters, 1,300 miles in advance of its present base at Hong Kong, and 90 miles from Port Arthur.
No. 7.
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA RESPECTING WEI HAI WEI
Signed at Peking, July 1, 1898.
[Ratifications exchanged at London, October 5, 1898.]
In order to provide Great Britain with a suitable naval harbour in North China, and for the better protection of British commerce in the neighbouring seas, the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of China agree to lease to the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Wei-hai Wei, in the Province of Shantung, and the adjacent waters, for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia,
The territory leased shall comprise the Island of Liu Kung, and all the islands in the Bay of Wei-hai Wei, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast-line
J
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
TICO. 882
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
く
C.O. 14495-98
YUNG-PHING
39
38
-Shan haikuary
120
Gulf of Pe-chili
(Po-Hai)
37
*