90
has rendered it necessary to largely increase the expenditure on sanitary services, and the Military and Naval Authorities have been asked to contribute towards the extra cost of removal of sewage and other urgent sanitary measures.
5. Paragraph 7.--A civil police force was raised in July, 1898, and consists of—
1 European police inspector.
1 Chinese sergeant.
11 Chinese police constables,
The pay of this force at present amounts to $305 per month, and is charged to an account in the Paymaster's ledger, called Cantonment accounts, which will be adjusted when a decision is arrived at concerning the Administration of the island.
6. The grant of $300 to the Cantonment Fund alluded to in paragraph 7 of Colonel Dorward's report of 18th October, 1899, which formerly was allotted from Navy Votes, ceased on the transfer of the Administration of the island from the Navy to the Army, 1st October, 1899.
7. Paragraph 8.-This small force is extremely useful in controlling and dealing with the Chinese population in a manner that could not be as efficiently carried out by European military police unacquainted with the language and habits and customs of the native inhabitants, and I strongly recommend their retention until a decision is arrived at as to the future Civil Government of the island.
The Under Secretary of State for War.
39530.
SIR,
No. 74.
I have, &c.,
T. J. W. PRENDERGAST,
Colonel, Acting Commissioner.
WAR OFFICE to MILITARY COMMISSIONER AT WEI-HAI-WEI. (Received from War Office, December 5, 1900.)
War Office, London, S.W., November 28, 1900. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward for
your considera- tion copies of correspondence received in this Department relative to the proposal to make the British dollar legal tender at Wei-hai-wei. It will be seen that the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury are in favour of the proposal subject to certain reservations, and Mr. Secretary Brodrick fully concurs.
I am therefore to request that you will consider the proposal, and, if you are fully satisfied that the British dollar will be freely accepted at Wei-hai-wei, and that the soldiers and other British employés of the Government will not suffer
the change, by that you will issue a proclamation constituting it legal tender, together with the Mexican dollar.
I am. &c.,
FRANK T. MARZIALS.
01
2. It will be observed that some amendments have been made in the draft, and I am to ask that these amendments, which have been introduced after consultation with Sir Frank Swettenham, may receive the Marquess of Lansdowne's consideration.
3. I am especially to ask you to call His Lordship's attention to the following points:-
(1) It will be observed that the references to the Judge in ss. 9, 12, 13, &c., have been altered so as to leave the question of appointing a Judge open for further con- sideration. Mr. Chamberlain anticipates that for financial reasons it will be necessary, for some time at least, to confine the civil staff of the dependency to the narrowest possible limits, and as at present advised he is not satisfied that the appointment of a separate Judge will be indispensable.
(2) The references to Liu Kung Tao in ss. 13, 17 and elsewhere have been struck out, as Mr. Chamberlain does not consider that there will be any special advantage in limiting the discretion of the Commissioner and the Court as to where in the territory
the Court shall sit.
(3) The limits of the summary jurisdiction of the High Court, as provided for in s. 23 (2) (a), have been raised to include cases punishable with imprisonment for six months or a fine of $100. A similar alteration has been made in s. 34 (1).
4. Subject to these amendments, and to the other less important alterations which have been made in the enclosed copy, Mr. Chamberlain approves of the draft Order in Council, and he would suggest that it should be submitted to the Law Officers of the Crown at an early date, in view of the proposal, which is now under the con- sideration of the Secretary of State for War and the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, that the Civil Administration of Wei-hai-Wei shall be taken over by this Department on the 1st January next.
5. I am also to draw attention to s. 3 of the draft Order, which provides for the appointment of a Commissioner by Commission under Her Majesty's Sign Manual and Signet. Mr. Chamberlain is not aware whether Brigadier-General Dorward has been appointed to administer the dependency under any formal instrument; but he pre- sumes that it will be necessary to prepare a special Commission for submission to Her Majesty as soon as possible after the approval of this Order in Council.
6. In this connection I am to inform you that the Secretary of State for War was asked in a letter of the 9th ultimo whether Brigadier-General Dorward would remain at Wei-hai-Wei. No answer, however, has as yet been received from the War Office.
40082.
No. 76.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
37644.
(Confidential.)
SIR,
No. 75.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
[Answered by 40768: not printed.]
Downing Street, November 30, 1900. WITH reference to your letters of the 13th December* and 26th March last† re- specting the draft Order in Council for the exercise of the Queen's jurisdiction at Wei-hai-Wei, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to return to you herewith the copy of the draft in question, which was enclosed in the former letter."
↑ No. 28.
* 31757: not printed.
SIR,
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received December 8, 1900.) [Answered by No. 77.]
War Office, London, S.W., December 6, 1900. WITH reference to Colonial Office letter of 9th October, 24400/1900, respecting the future administration of Wei-Hai-Wei, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to inform you that he concurs generally in the views expressed therein, and is of opinion that the territory could most properly be governed by a Military or Naval Governor. He is prepared to agree to the arrangements proposed being carried out provisionally from the 1st January, 1901, pending the future settlement of details, a to which he considers that it would be desirable to consult Colonel Dorward.
I am, &c.,
• No. 61.
R. H. KNOX.
5451
J 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTC.O. 882
لسياسايا
6
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON