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12512.

No. 162.

GOVERNOR SIn H. A. BLAKE to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received 5.35 p.m., May 17, 1899.) TELEGRAM.

[Copy to Foreign Office, May 19, 1899, L.F.]

In reply to your telegram of to-day's date,* troops received cordially by Chinese, who highly appreciated payment for supplies and labour.

161

Please explain the following to Lord Salisbury --That as it is expressly agreed in the Convention for the extension of Hong Kong, that within the city of Kowloon the Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise jurisdiction, and also in the Convention for the demarcation of the extension signed by the Viceroy of Two Kwang and the Governor of Hong Kong it is expressly stated that Samchun is not to be included in the leased territory, these forcible actions on the part of Great Britain would appear to be violations of the Conventions, and are entirely contrary to the friendly spirit in which the Chinese Government granted the lease.

And that His Lordship is earnestly requested to immediately instruct the Governor of Hong Kong to withdraw the forces at once, and adjust the question peacefully, so as to preserve the friendly relations between the two countries.

12913 8.

No. 163.

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received 2.40 p.m., May 21, 1899.) TELEGRAM.

(Paraphrase).

[Answered by No. 166.]

Just returned from Sham Chun district. General reported it necessary to hold Shatao on Deep Bay and the road from it to Sham Chun if Sham Chun is to be held. I walked this road yesterday. Nine-tenths of the population of the valley are south of the road, while north principally rolling downs with some cultivation (?). As a boundary road impossible; assuming the above statement of General correct, only solution is retention of valley to hills as first proposed. River undoubtedly is best boundary, but a withdrawal from Sham Chun would be misunderstood. I do not apprehend any difficulty in holding the valley with the present garrison. I found all the people friendly, I have fully informed you on the position, and await your decision as to boundary, which will affect pressing question of position to be selected for new Customs Stations.

13055 8.

(Confidential.)

No. 165.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received May 24, 1899.)

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 Secretary of State to transmit, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, the accompanying copy of a telegram, as marked in the margin, relating to the Kowloon Extension.

Foreign Office, May 23, 1899.

12964 13.

SIB,

No. 164.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received May 23, 1899.)

[Answered by No. 167.]

Foreign Office, May 22, 1899.

I AM directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Chamberlain, a copy of a talegram from the Taungli Yamên which has been left at this Office by the Chinese Minister to day, protesting against the expulsion of the Chinese officials and soldiers from Kowloon and the occupation of Samchun.

The Chinese Minister has asked for an early reply.

Mr. Iron-

side, Tel. No. 157, May

23.

Enclosure in No. 165.

Paraphrase of a Telegram from Mr. BAX-IRONSIDE, Peking, to the MARQUESS OF

SALISBURY. D. 7.10),

R. 5.30p.m., May 23, 1899,

No. 157. I HAVE received note from Yamên professing surprise at our occupation

of Kowloon City and Sham Chun, and requesting me to telegraph to your Lordship to order the withdrawal of the troops.

I replied refusing the request, in view of the tenour of your Lordship's recent instructions by telegraph.

12913

వి.

No. 166.

Enclosure in No. 164.

I am, &c.,

FRANCIS BERTIE.

Translation of a Telegram from the TSUNOLI YAMAN, dated Peking May 20, 1899.

On the 20th instant, the Yamên was telegraphically informed by the Viceroy of Two Kwang, that on the 16th instant six British men-of-war were despatched to Kowloon, and expelled our officials and soldiers from the city, and that on the 17th instant some 1,000 Indian soldiers occupied Samchun.

• No. 161.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE, (Sent 6.11 p.m., May 25, 1899.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

Referring to your telegram of the 21st instant, I presume that your views as tỏ Northern boundary are fully explained in your promised despatch.

• No. 163.

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