CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899 — Page 539

Tsuchi

HER FRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CONSULATE,

A MOY.

May 13th. 1899.

535

Sir:-

I have the honour to state that I shall as desir-

ed forward your letter to His Excellency the Governor

of Hongkong in which you ask that he will be good

enough to detach an officer to examine the island of

Kulangsu with a view to the erection of forts;

but I

would suggest that the scope of the enquiry should not

be confined to Kulangs, but should embrace the defence5

of Amoy generally. I beg to point out a grave objec-

tion to the erection of forts on Kulangsu, which may

have escaped your notice. It is the place of res1-

dence of a cosmopolitan European coununity, and being

unfortified would in time of war enjoy immunity from

attack. The erection of a fort on Fulangsu would

change this pleasant state of things, and should China

become embroiled in hostilities with any power, Kulang-

su would be exposed to bombardment, by which the lives

and property of Foreigners would be inperilled, and

Taotal of Amoy.

the