CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 71

cyches. Lic. macdonald. reking- & 10 ro. Apsil £9. 1895.

Lee Ke141.

68

At an interview yesterday yamên showed mclination to frent required territory provided that firstly Chinese officials the "allowed to remain in Kowloon as at Kinchow & Riachow: They will I think consent to British officials being appointed as suggested in Y.L's tel 159. Secondly A place be left on west & coast promontory to which Chinese comizers & passenger boats cand run from Canton as at present: they argued that this could not possibly protect Hongkong. Thirdly there be no expropriation

inhabitants except where land is required for fortifications, when a fail price is to be paid. Fourthly Hongkong Good will carry out more energetically than heretofort existing arrange= oments for prevention of smuggling. This was suggested by lû B. Hart: with island Lantão in ous confront smuggling will be much facilitated & revenue can only be protected by

our help. I consides above points to be such as we may well grant"

we refuse we shall have to use great pressure motead

Sfx

gaining ous chief object without friction.

Question of lease or cession was not touched on but I do hot think it advisable to insist on cession at present junctur

I shall submit draft agreement on may

2

*

The only other demand with regard to which I anticipate considerable difficulty is Manning. I propose promise of opening at definite date but allowing date to be

months "henet .

insisting on

Yamên asked that negotiations should be kept seen for the present.

They again referred to future organization of have by thith Officers.