(No. 87.)
106
Enclosure in No. 81.
PARAPHRASE of a TELEGRAM from MB. BAX-IRONSIDE, Pekin.
D. 1.55 p.m., R. 4.50 p.m.
REFERRING to Telegrams 79 and 80, I pressed on Yamên, at an interview yesterday, Sir Henry Blake's proposal to pass an Opium Ordinance at once, and give Chinese Customs time to arrange to leave British territory, if they would agree to include Sham Chun and district in the leased territory.
The Yamên protested against removal of Customs Stations, and appealed to our previous promises of assistance in Customs matters. (See Sir C. MacDonald's despatch, No. 102, of 1898.)
They firmly declined to accept boundary proposed by Sir H. Blake, and expressed indignation at the intention to oust Customs from Kowloon territory.
107
inform him, at the same time, that while Her Majesty's Government are willing to allow him considerable discretion in the matter, he should not, unless the matter is exceedingly urgent, repeat his visit to Canton without having first obtained sanction.
3. In the meantime Mr. Chamberlain would suggest that Her Majesty's Repre- sentative at Pekin should be instructed by telegraph to urge the Viceroy of Canton to do everything in his power to carry out the arrangements that have been agreed upon as to the provisional boundary, and to prevent any hostile action on the part of the Chinese.
4. I am at the same time to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, without date,* enclosing a telegram from Mr. Ironside, dated 1st inst., reporting that the Chinese Government continue their protests against the removal of the Chinese Customs Stations. On this point Mr. Chamberlain has nothing to add to the letter from this office of the 29th ult.†
8440 8.
No. 84.
I am &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
8841
No. 82.
Governor Sir H. A. BLAKE to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Paraphrase.)
(Received 12.44 p.m., April 3, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 87.]
Mr telegram of lat April. Proceeded in H.M.S. "Fame" yesterday to Canton, where had interview with Viceroy. He promised after some demur that posting of placards should be stopped and issuers arrested; also that soldiers shall be sent to protect Chinese building police mat sheds and survey parties. I have told him that if protection is not operating on 5th, I will take over leased area on following day, otherwise not till 17th, but that Customs cannot operate once the English flag is hoisted. This is Attorney- General's legal opinion. Told Viceroy that Hong Kong Government will pass Ordinance to make smuggling almost impossible, and that I am preventing arms being exported to China. Please telegraph if approved; since if protection is not given, I may take over territory on 6th.
8260 8.
(Secret.)
No. 83.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
[Answered by No. 84.]
(Confidential.)
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received April 4, 1899.)
[See No. 83.]
THE Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and is directed by the
To Mr. Ironside,
Tel. No. 62, April 3, Secretary of State to transmit, for the information of Mr. Chamberlain, the accompanying copy of a telegram, as marked in the margin, relating to the extension of Hong Kong.
Foreign Office,
April 4, 1899.
Enclosure in No. 84,
The MarquesS OF SALISBURY to MR, BAX-IRONSIDE. (No. 62.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, April 3, 1899.
A TELEGRAM has been received from Government of Hong Kong stating that Chinese refuse to include Sham Chun in Concession. Placards have been posted in the district calling upon the people to arm and resist occupation, and party sent to erect mat-sheds inside boundary, as agreed upon with Chinese Commissioners, have been stopped by people who threatend to kill them.
Governor has, consequently, proceeded to Canton, and, after some demur, Viceroy has promised that Chinese soldiers should be sent for protection of survey parties and Chinese building sheds for police, that posting of placards should be stopped and offenders arrested.
You should at once make representations on the subject, and urge that Viceroy should be instructed to do all he can to prevent any hostile action on the part of the Chinese, and to carry out arrangements agreed upon as to provisional boundary.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
I b k k b
سلنا
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
SIR,
Downing Street, April 3, 1899. WITH reference to the letter from this office of the 29th ult.,t I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Salisbury, u copy of a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong, reporting that in consequence of the hostile attitude of the Chinese on the frontier decided upon by the Delimitation Commission, he was about to proceed to Canton with a view to obtaining the assistance of the Viceroy, together with a subsequent telegram reporting the result of his visit.
2. Mr. Chamberlain proposes, with Lord Salisbury's concurrence, to telegraph a general approval of Sir H. Blake's action, and of his proposals for the immediate future, provided that every effort is made to allay Chinese suspicion and prejudice, but to
‡ No. 82.
• No. 80.
↑ No. 79.
8442
No. 85.
Governor Sir H. A. BLAKE to Mă. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received 2.22 p.m., April 4, 18:9.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 87.]
MIDNIGHT last night received message from Commandant of Police who had proceeded to Taiphui, on Mirs Bay; with six men and five Chinese soldiers told off for
• No. 81.
† No. 79.
01
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