CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4] — Page 347

which forms the first Enclosure to this despatch. I

agree

am

with Vice Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge,

OP Y.

14392 secret, 343

inclined to

that the possession of

this island

by

the Japanese govern-

From the Consul for Japan at HongKong.

To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary,

iment could do

contrary

no possible harm, and that on the

it is perhaps better that they should have

it than anyone

cbse.

Japanese Consulate,

HongKong, 23rd. January, 1902.

have the honour to be,

fir

Your most obedient

humble Servant

Try Gascoigne Major General Cidministering the government.

Sir.

Being instructed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs

of His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Government to enquire and ascer-

tain whether an uninhabited island named Prates, which situated in

Latitude 20° 42' 3* North and Longitude 116° 48' 14" Bast of Green-

wich, has already acquired by a certain Power whose sovereignty

over the island is universally recognised or not, and to assure

this fact is with a mere object of carrying out fishery in the

coast of the Island by a Japanese fishing association; I have the

bonour to request you to be so good as to confidentially furnish

me, if possible, with any information on the subject.

I have etc.,

(Ed.). . None,

**

C

The Right Honourable

Joseph Chamberlain dark?

rc.

Downing Street.