CO882-(4-5) — Page 538

115

TI

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH--NOT TO

it may be possible to commence the preliminary work within four months from

this date.

This Government is prepared to defray the travelling expenses of such officers as may be selected.

I have, &c.,

J. H. STEWART Lockhart,

Colonial Secretary.

The Secretary to the Government of India,

8937

8.

Calcutta.

No. 94.

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Paraphrase.)

(Received 10.30 a.m., April 11, 1899.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 96.]

Received letter from Her Majesty's Consul, Canton, enclosing despatch from Viceroy, in which he requests him to inform me that he declines to hand over Kowloon on 17th, as Customs are to be removed (? from). Arrangements made for that date, and proclamation already published in territory. Imperial Government, Pekin, should order Viceroy to hand over (territory) on that date. As any alteration now would affect prestige, I shall proceed to assume possession.

8816

No. 95.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE. (Sent 4.15 p.m. April 11, 1899.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 97.]

INSPECTOR-GENERAL Chinese Maritime Customs asks that three Customs stations may remain till October on islands Changchowe, Capsimoon, and Fotowchow; by that time he expects to have local service reorganized, and new stations built elsewhere. In my opinion this is reasonable. Unless you see very strong objection, wire to Pekin that you concur, on distinct condition that no other stations remain, and that these three will not be removed later than above date.

9067

No. 97.

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Paraphrase.)

(Received 2.53 p.m., April 12, 1899.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 98.]

There is no objection on my part to Customs (? as suggested) in your despatch remaining at the stations until further arrangements can be made; but besides Attorney- General's advice that I cannot legally give power to foreign Customs functionary in our territory or waters, continuance of stations mentioned would prevent free circulation of local trade within Colonial waters.

Have spoken to Chairman, Chamber of Commerce, who pointed this out, and said that continuance would entirely check development. Chinese Customs were warned of the impending removal two months ago. Any Customs stations south-east of Lintin island and Checkwan would involve stoppage and

of large local junk (? traffic) from the extension on Deep Bay; same would apply on East side, causing local irritation and internal trouble.

9067

8.

No. 98.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE. (Sent 12.46 p.m., April 13, 1899.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 100.]

Your telegram of yesterday's datet. Customs stations in question must stand until other arrangements can be made; provided that they are in no case allowed beyond October. Communicate with Pekin accordingly, pressing withdrawal at earliest possible date, and take over territory as proposed on 17th."

8937 3.

8937

No. 96.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE. (Sent 9.35 p.m., April 11, 1899.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

I approve proposals contained in your telegram of 11th April.*

• No. 94.

(Secret.)

SIR,

No. 99.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, April 13, 1899.

I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, enclosing a copy of a telegram from Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, respecting a proposal by Sir R. Hart that certain Chinese Customs stations on the islands near Hong Kong should be allowed to remain until October, and to enclose for the information of the Marquess of Salisbury a copy of a telegram that Mr. Chamberlain accordingly addressed to the Governor of Hong Kong, together with a copy of Sir H. Blake's replyt.

2. It appears to Mr. Chamberlain that any further postponement of the formal occupation of the new territory would be most undesirable; and, while he is prepared to recognise that the objections urged by Sir H. Blake to any continuance of the Chinese Customs stations cannot be considered as groundless, he is of opinion that it is of greater importance that the negotiations should suffer no further interruption. He has accordingly replied to Sir H. Blake in a telegram of which a copy is enclosed.

3. I am at the same time to enclose a copy of a further telegram|| from Sir H. Blake

| No.4

• No. 95.

638

† No. 97.

↑ No. 92.

§ No. 94.