CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899 — Page 57

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

1132

#13: 56°E, 21:49!N.)

It appears from 16509/85 that the Chinese Government is to make an annual contribution (nominal) of $750 towards the maintenance of the lighthouse. I cannot find that any such arrangement has been made now, nor does the arrangement appear to have been definitely concluded.

It seems to me to require more demonstration than we have had so far as to whether the advantages of the Defence of the Colony are such that would be effected by the present proposal, which amounts to nothing more or less than the annexation of a lighthouse built on a small rock. (See page 3 of the Harbour Master's memo attached to 1373/88).

In order to get information from it, it was pointed out that international obligations would preclude the cable being used to advise of the risk, which offers half the rock being used for some time. On that rock we have been warned of the approach of a hostile squadron.

The Rock is Chinese territory, and the cable itself would offer a foothold to such a boundary on the Great Northern and Eastern Tel. Cos., winter on 20117/91, and the property of the Colonial Government.

I should be sorry to imagine that the use of the cable would not be sufficient to compensate for the diplomatic friction and possible expense that must attend its requisition. It is avowedly only required for defence - in order to signal to hostile forces. It is outside the new boundary, and I doubt the difficulty arising from a white lighthouse on Chinese territory.

Captain the A.M. Admiralty, and the W.O. are aware (Sir John Ardagh) 334/88 that the Island is "a barren uninhabited rock of only a few square extent." The Admiralty in 1886 objected to a proposal for electric communications between the Raffles lighthouse and Singapore on the ground that "it would destroy the neutral character of the lighthouse, for its destruction in time of war would give an enemy an advantage."

I do not think we should even trouble the F.O. with this, but simply reply that Mr. Chamberlain is not prepared to reopen the question of the boundaries of the extended territory.

A.F. 14/8

Page 1133

It has, I think, been decided that the question of the ...

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1132 #13: 56°E, 21:49!N.) It appears from 16509/85 that the Chinese Government is to make an annual contribution (nominal) of $750 towards the maintenance of the lighthouse. I cannot find that any such arrangement has been made now, nor does the arrangement appear to have been definitely concluded. It seems to me to require more demonstration than we have had so far as to whether the advantages of the Defence of the Colony are such that would be effected by the present proposal, which amounts to nothing more or less than the annexation of a lighthouse built on a small rock. (See page 3 of the Harbour Master's memo attached to 1373/88). In order to get information from it, it was pointed out that international obligations would preclude the cable being used to advise of the risk, which offers half the rock being used for some time. On that rock we have been warned of the approach of a hostile squadron. The Rock is Chinese territory, and the cable itself would offer a foothold to such a boundary on the Great Northern and Eastern Tel. Cos., winter on 20117/91, and the property of the Colonial Government. I should be sorry to imagine that the use of the cable would not be sufficient to compensate for the diplomatic friction and possible expense that must attend its requisition. It is avowedly only required for defence - in order to signal to hostile forces. It is outside the new boundary, and I doubt the difficulty arising from a white lighthouse on Chinese territory. Captain the A.M. Admiralty, and the W.O. are aware (Sir John Ardagh) 334/88 that the Island is "a barren uninhabited rock of only a few square extent." The Admiralty in 1886 objected to a proposal for electric communications between the Raffles lighthouse and Singapore on the ground that "it would destroy the neutral character of the lighthouse, for its destruction in time of war would give an enemy an advantage." I do not think we should even trouble the F.O. with this, but simply reply that Mr. Chamberlain is not prepared to reopen the question of the boundaries of the extended territory. A.F. 14/8 Page 1133 It has, I think, been decided that the question of the ... Lx tum RAL 19--12435-2000-1-99 15195-2000-4-99
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1132 #13: 56°E, 21:49!N.) Itaffenis from 16509/5s that the Chinese Go Zwere to make ི། an amuum contribution (nomnial) of $750 towards the manilinane of the lighthouse. I cannot much prepent is find that my is made now, nor does the arrangement appear to her been definitely concluded. seems *** a to to require more demonstration than we What good deal have had so far is whether the advantages Defence of the Colony to the a cerve that would 0 Sexfect be alludes to 16336 56 present proposal amounts to nothing mard less than the annexation of a lighthoven huilt on a small rock en to get information from it (See page 3 of the Harbour Master's memes. attached to 1373 sec.._ in was In order time where bef points out that international obligations would preclude the cable used to advise of the 71, which affers haf rock being use for some time On that haber we Youy the as the been I have been missing affrouch of a hostile squadron, Rock is Chinese berritory that the cable itself would affen foto the yout of fret of such the coudhary ou the Sreat Northern and Easter Pat. Cos, winter on 20117/91 and the the property of the Colonial' Gost71 I should warned the for imaging to the use lobe. li nott from the possession of this island sufficient to compensate for the deflomatic fuction and fossible expense that must au the attend its requisition. It is avowedly only marder to signal a required for defence - wiorder to carf by hostile fremmes. It is outside the new 4 is boundary, the there and I doubt the difficulty arising from & whit lighthouse is already at present any control of a W on Chinese territor sitte Coreven froble aticalf wan Caput the A.M.A wally bolly 10214me, and the W.0. are real Sir John Ardagh ) 334/88 very probably in (Si Gul Des Voeux described the Island as Encin barren uninhabited rock ofarly a fut extent.") * strail the Admiralty In 1986 0198 sch a few square objected to an (apparently) unisant proporal for elective communications betwe the Raffler lighthouse and Suigafore, the ground that " it would desting the neutral character of the light hour, for its destruction be time of war." But the and give an enemy AAM Lx tum RAL 19--12435-2000-1-99 15195-2000-4-99 Id, not think we should even trouble the F.D. with this, but ssimfl reply that Mr. Chamberlain ot befund to reopen the questioen of the boundaries of the extended އ tentay. A.F. 14/8 It has I think been question of the I decided that the tex
2026-05-31 13:51:52 · Baseline
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1132

#13: 56°E, 21:49!N.)

Itaffenis from 16509/5s that

the Chinese Go Zwere to make

འ ི།

an amuum

contribution (nomnial) of $750 towards the manilinane of the lighthouse. I cannot

much prepent is find that

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now, nor does the arrangement appear to her been definitely concluded.

seems

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a

to to require more demonstration than we

What

good deal

have had so far is whether the advantages

Defence of the Colony

to the

a cerve

that would

0

Sexfect be

alludes to 16336

56

present proposal amounts to nothing mard less than the annexation of a lighthoven huilt on a small rock en to get information from it (See page 3 of the Harbour Master's memes.

attached to 1373 sec.._

in was

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time

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Gost71

I should warned the for

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AAM

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RAL 19--12435-2000-1-99 15195-2000-4-99

Id, not think we

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އ

tentay.

A.F. 14/8

It has I think been

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tex

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