CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903 — Page 200

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

196

good enough to lay before the Imperial Government.

Though the Chinese Government have apparently attempted, as far as the limited means at their disposal permit them, to carry out their obligations, it is undeniable that during the past two years they have been unable to prevent a steady, though illicit, importation of arms from proceeding throughout the country. His Majesty's Government have indeed received reports shewing that during that time the importation of arms has attained such dimensions that it is at present doubtful whether the prohibition has had any appreciable effect in restricting the traffic.

That this should be the case is hardly a matter for surprise, if consideration be given to the extent and configuration of the coast line of the Chinese Empire, and to the large profits made by those concerned in the arms trade. In support of this view I may be permitted to refer to the observations made by Your Excellency in October last relative to the importation of arms from Belgium into China.

It appears to His Majesty's Government almost inconceivable

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1 196 good enough to lay before the Imperial Government. Though the Chinese Government have apparently attempted, as far as the limited means at their disposal permit them, to carry out their obligations, it is undeniable that during the past two years they have been unable to prevent a steady, though illicit, importation of arms from proceeding throughout the country. His Majesty's Government have indeed received reports shewing that during that time the importation of arms has attained such dimensions that it is at present doubtful whether the prohibition has had any appreciable effect in restricting the traffic. That this should be the case is hardly a matter for surprise, if consideration be given to the extent and configuration of the coast line of the Chinese Empire, and to the large profits made by those concerned in the arms trade. In support of this view I may be permitted to refer to the observations made by Your Excellency in October last relative to the importation of arms from Belgium into China. It appears to His Majesty's Government almost inconceivable

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1 196 good enough to lay before the Imperial Government. Though the Chinese Government have apparently at- tampted, as far as the limited means at their disposal permit them, to carry out their obligations, it is un- deniable that during the past two years they have beon unable to prevent a steady, though illicit, im- portation of arms from proceeding throughout the coun- try. His Majesty's Government have indeed received reports shewing that during that time the importation of arms has attained such dimensions that it is at prosent doubtful whether the prohibition has had any appreciable offcct in restricting the traffic. That this should be the case is hardly a matter for surprise, if consideration be given to the extent and configuration of the coast line of the Chinese Em- pire, and to the large profits made by those concern- ed in the arms trade. In support of this view I may be permitted to refer to the observations made by Your Excellency in October last relative to the importation of arms fran Belgium into China. It appears to His majesty's Government almost in- conceivable

2026-06-01 12:48:32 · Baseline

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196

good enough to lay before the Imperial Government.

Though the Chinese Government have apparently at-

tampted, as far as the limited means at their disposal

permit them, to carry out their obligations, it is un-

deniable that during the past two years they have

beon unable to prevent a steady, though illicit, im-

portation of arms from proceeding throughout the coun-

try. His Majesty's Government have indeed received

reports shewing that during that time the importation

of arms has attained such dimensions that it is at

prosent doubtful whether the prohibition has had any

appreciable offcct in restricting the traffic.

That this should be the case is hardly a matter

for surprise, if consideration be given to the extent

and configuration of the coast line of the Chinese Em-

pire, and to the large profits made by those concern-

ed in the arms trade. In support of this view I may

be permitted to refer to the observations made by Your

Excellency in October last relative to the importation

of arms fran Belgium into China.

It appears to His majesty's Government almost in-

conceivable

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