CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 72

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On arriving before the Yamen there was a short

pause before the large central gate swung open to

off as a salute.

let us pass, and as we entered three guns were fired

I was met in an inner hall by Wen

Taotai, Mr. Kao and Mr. Hsieh; the first named speaks

excellent English and was one of the Chinese offi-

cials deputed to negotiate the Commercial Treaty with

Sir James Mackay.

Viceroy Tsen welcomed me cordially and conduct-

ed me into a large room where we seated ourselves

at a long table covered with the usual sweetmeats.

Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Hongkong, with

whom I have been staying, had asked me to mention

one or two things to the Viceroy should I see him.

Accordingly after a few remarks of a general charac-

ter had passed I said that the Governor had asked

me to convey his congratulations on the successful

manner in which His Excellency had put down the re-

bellion in Kwang-si. The Viceroy looked pleased and

requested me to thank Sir Matthew for his kind mes-

sage.

I then remarked that the Governor was most

anxious to make his acquaintance and to visit Canton;

he had deferred doing the latter, however, in the

Viceroy's absence, but hoped to have the opportunity

Tsen

of seeing him and Canton at no distant date.

smiled and bowed, but made no definite reply.

I next alluded to the procedure which had been

adopted in regard to extradition in the "Perseverance

case, which had given great satisfaction to the Hong-

kong Government and which they hoped would be follow-

ed in future cases. The Viceroy said that it would

be most certainly, and remarked that he sincerely

wished that extradition cases could be arranged as

satisfactorily with Macao as with Hongkong. With

the former place there were endless difficulties and

delays which involved heavy expenses. His Excellency

hoped that the present regulations in respect to the

export of arms from Hongkong to the two Kwang Pro-

vinces,

ward,

T

which was the next subject I brought for-

would not be relaxed. It was a most neces-

sary measure which went far to secure order and tran-

quillity which the Hongkong Government must be just

anxious

8.8

A