C. Hongkong 12th December 1903.
1912
214
IREC
Joseph Welch Maq:
19 JAN 04
Hon. Secretary,
China Association,
LONDON.
Dear Sir,
Referring to my letter of the 4th inst on the questio
the opening of Walchow to foreign trade as a treaty port, I now beg to the views of my Committee thereon before you at length.
Some particulars concerning this large and populous city may r be out of place. It is situated on the East River directly north of New Territory or Kowloon Hinterland, and is connected with the shorEB Mira Bay by (for China) a good and fairly straight footpath through a country free from natural obstacles. The Waicnow prefecture contains Industrious and flourishing population, and the soil is rich and prod A tributary of the East River divides the city from another busy town ed Kwetshin, Walchow is not accessible by water except by small nat craft, the Mast River at that point being swift and shallow.
At pre therefore, the communication with this thriving and populous district circuitous and tedious. Its value to Honkong would be very great ! brought, witain easy access, as it would lead to a development of trai & probable increase in the labour supply of the Colony, a matter of
moment.
It is therefore eminently desirable that the opening of i British trade should not be defereed until the doubtful period o“ eral acceptance by the Treaty Powers of the Provisions of Articl the Mackay Treaty; and the Committee will be glad if you will be ough to represent to the Foreign office the importance to the Col. Hongkong and to British trade of pressing the Chinese Government të to this stipulation of the Treaty being carried into effect simult
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