CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 449

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officials, it is to be feared that Russia will, in

consequence, conceive designs, which will certainly

be greatly to the detriment of China.

China and England are friends of long standing

and we are of opinion that the British Foreign Office

would be unwilling that another nation should have

a pretext on account of this Kowloon affair.

Should there be fear that there will be any

prejudice to the military requirements of Hongkong,

we would be most willing to discuss and arrange in the

fullest manner such measures as would be deemed ad-

visable, and it would be incumbent on China to order

their careful observance.

In sending Your Excellency this special secret

letter we beg you to transmit these arguments, in

full detail, and without loss of time, by telegraph,

the Foreign Office of your honourable nation. We

beg to express our fervent hope that, in considera-

tion for the welfare of China, her officials will be

permitted to exercise jurisdiction within the city

of Kowloon in conformity with the Convention.

We beg the favour of a reply.

Cards of Prince and Ministers of the Yamen.

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