CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899 — Page 70

the papers which you have just passed go on to Mr. Chamberlain.

-1. The C.D. committee had better have then say with again both on to boundary And as to for Buck, this paper &

1_2. We had better let the Foreign Office have copies at once 919626.

1

3. We had better write the little despatch Is the question proposed on 26/9/95 CPL 2.Oct.

I agree S. 2/10 69 25950 this

Any further communication on subject should be addressed to-

The Under Secretary of State, War Office, Pall Mall, London, S.W.

and the following number quoted. 0833575

Sir,

War Office, 23rd September, 1899.

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies a copy of a despatch received from the General Officer Commanding the Troops in China and Hong Kong, respecting the advisability of including Sham Chun in British territory.

It will be observed that in the immediate vicinity of Sham Chun there is an excellent site for the encampment of troops, well adapted for training purposes and invaluable as a health resort; and it is implied that sufficient grounds for preferring a claim to this area might possibly be found in the event of the Chinese Government refusing to pay the indemnity which has been demanded as a set off against the expenses incurred during the recent disturbances in the leased territory.

While fully admitting the value of Sham Chun, Lord Lansdowne does not, however, propose to press for its acquisition until every coign of vantage directly essential to the proper defence of Hong Kong has been acquired; and in this connection His Lordship attaches chief importance to the concession of Gap Rock.

I

WAR.

The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.