CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 428

Jedi

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Enclosure 2.---.

421

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 1fth. pri?; 1905.

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Y coldslaget en 401 Estevesag of dimeo vas nave

eiledning at it sols of so lank or ad verelines* quoy „dene? ojci

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3

2

Sir,

suknedeni od

17369

Rece

I am directed by the Governor to informżyour the His

Excellency has recently had occasion to decline to entertain appli-

cations made by the Government of Macao for permits for the export

of arms and ammunition from this Colony, on the ground that the

quantities proposed to be exported were largely in excess of the

numbers exportel in 1908 and 1904 and that the disproportion between

these quantities and what this Government conceived to be the legi-

tinate requirements, of junks and fishing boats at Macao for their

own protection, but colour to the current opinion that a considera-

ble contraband trade in qunitions of war was carrived on by Chinese

craft using the port of Macao, in spite of the precautions taken by

the Portuguese Government to prevent such illicit trade.

2. This action on the part of the Governor has called forth

a strong protest from the Governor of Macao who asserts that it is

impossible that arms and ammunition imported by the licensed arms

dealers in Vacao and stored, as the regulations there require, in

the Government Magazine, can be disposed of otherwise than to sup-

oly the absolute needs of the legitimate commerce of Macao.

€. In these circumstances I am to ask you to be good enough

to state your opinion as to whether the unrestricted exportation of ares from Hongkong to Macao, which the Government of Macao ask for on the strength of the control they exercise over the possession,

storage and sale of munitions of war, is likely to lead to these

arms coming into the hands of persons in Ching who would use them

against the constituted Authorities or for ourposes of piracy or

brigandage.

4. I am to add that as the restrictions hitherto maintained

on this exportation have been entirely in the interests of China, you are at liberty should you think fit to consult with the Viceroy

of the Two Kwang in the matter of the request of the Vacao Govern - ment for their removal.

4.B. M. Consul General,

Cantor

I have, Ele 07. H. may,

Colonial decretary