CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903 — Page 373

entirely the restrictions on the purchase of cattle

in Kuangsi by British subjects.

With regard to the question of the importation

of arms from Hong Kong into China, His Majesty's

Consul-General informed the Viceroy that His Maj-

esty's Government had, at their own instance, taken

measures to restrict the trade in arms in Hong Kong,

although the term of two years during which, under

the Peace Protocol, no arms could be imported into

China, has now expired. The Viceroy, in his tele-

gram announcing the withdrawal of all restrictions

on the purchase of cattle in Kuangsi, expressed

the hope that the Hong Kong Government would take

strict measures to detect the smuggling of arms.

I am to suggest for Mr. Secretary Lyttelton's

consideration, that the attention of the Governor

of Hong Kong may be called to the last paragraph

of a despatch which has been addressed to His Maj-

esty's Minister at Peking, and a copy of which is

inclosed, instructing him that Mr. Scott should

inform

inform the Viceroy that the Governor of Hong Kong

will use every endeavour to prevent the illicit im-

portation of arms into China.

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,

Hb Merepbell,

369

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