CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 148

14837 Secret Fave

147

Navy League, Hong Kong Branch.

Hong Kong,

14th July,1898.

ap

Dear Sir,

With reference to the postscript to my

letter to you of the 9th instant, I would beg leave to

point out a further grave objection against the reserva-

tion of Kowloon City for the use of the Chinese, namely,

the fact that, inasmuch as Kowloon City is situated on

the shore of Kowloon Bay, such a reservation would carry

with it of necessity a right for vessels of war belong-

ing to the Chinese and other nation, uponthe pretext of

proceeding to Kowloon City, to steam through the

Lyaemon Pass and to anchor in Kowloon Bay.

This would be a most serious matter from the

point of view of the defence of this Colony, for it is

essential that we should have the sole, absolute, and

unquestionable right to seal up the Lycemoon Pass and

to prevent any vessels of whatever nationality from

coming in through it, if we at any time think fit.

This matter, in fact, struck my Committee as of

so much importance that we telegraphed to you on the

11th instant as follows:-

"Kowloon City must be included in lease", and we

venture to hope that your Committee has been making

representations upon the subject to the proper suthori-

ties.

There is a very strong feeling in this Colony

against the proposed reservation, not only from the

defence point of view, but also from the recognition of

the fact that such a concession will not only fail to

secure the gratitude of the Chinese, but will actually

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