CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 507

مساواة من الي ما الها بموت من ان الامت

Sir C. MacDonald to the Marquess of Salisbury.--(Received April 2) 13065

RE

500

Peking, February 15128 APR 00

34.) Lord, WITH reference to my despatch No. 29 of the 6th instant, I have the honour to se herewith copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, reporting an view with Li Hung-chang, on the subject of the desire of the Chinese Government to ain the retrocession of Kowloon city.

I have, &c. (Signed)

CLAUDE M. MACDONALD,

6.5.)

Inclosure in No. 6.

Consul Scott to Sir C. MacDonald.

Canton, January 22, 1900, HAVE the honour to report that I called on Viceroy Li yesterday afternoon, mpanied by Messrs. Pitzipios and Higgs. During the first part of the conversation the Viceroy alluded to the Transvaal war, expressed a hope that it would be terminated successfully at an early date.

He then reverted to the question of the giving up of Kowloon city, and insisted that, cordance with the original Convention, the place should remain under the jurisdiction China. He had discussed the question with the British Minister, who had referred to the Governor of Hong Kong. He had therefore made a special visit to the ernor of Hong Kong, and his Excellency had stated that it was a matter for the home Jernment to decide.

The case of Kowloon city was parallel with that of Ching Tu Cheng (Kinchow), ch lay in the midst of the territory leased to Russia, and had been handed back to . Should England retain possession of Kowloon, Russia would have reason for plint, and complications would consequently ensue. England had always been

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ined to regard Russian demands as unreasonable, but in the present instance the nation was reversed. The question had been discussed between the Chinese Minister in don and the Foreign Office, but without satisfactory result, and his Excellency had iore to request me to address the Foreign Office with a view to obtaining the retro- sion desired.

I pointed out that such a course of action was entirely beyond my power. The stion was one of grave importance, and having been under the consideration of high als, such as the British Minister, the Governor of Hong Kong, and the Secretary of e, it was quite impossible for a mere Consul to exercise any influence in the Moreover, I should have no right to address the Foreign Office direct upon such a stion. The most I could do would be to embody his Excellency's views in a despatch Her Majesty's Minister, which I was quite prepared to do to oblige bis Excellency. I also be prepared to forward any Memorandum on the subject if his Excellency cared

der.

arnish one to me.

His Excellency replied that such a Memorandum had already been handed to the sh Minister, and that another would not be necessary. He would, however, be very eful if I would write to the Minister in the manner suggested.

This I agreed to do, and the conversation again turned to general topics. His ellency appeared to be in good health, and was extremely friendly in his general

Hide.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

B. C. G. SCOTT.

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