This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
T.0.
22340
731
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18328]
No. 1.
Res
[May 28.]
SECTION 1.
20 JUN 08
Li Ching-fong to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 28.)
THE Chinese Minister presents his compliments to Sir Edward Grey, and, with reference to the interview he had with his Excellency on the 8th instant, at which the question of the situation at Macao and the smuggling of arms at that port were the subject of a conversation the purport of which he reported at once to his Government, now begs to inclose an amended translation of a telegram he has received in reply from the Wai-wu Pu explaining the nature of the question with the Government of Macao and the arrangement the Chinese Government desires to have made with a view to the suppression of the illicit trade in arms in that neighbourhood.
Chinese Legation, London, May 26, 1908.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Wai-wu Pu to Li Ching-fong.
(Translation.)
(Telegraphic.)
May 16, 1908.
YOUR telegram of the 7th instant was duly received and read. With regard to the question of contraband traffic in arms and munitions of war at Macao, this Department some time ago addressed a note to the Portuguese Minister requesting that such traffic should be put a stop to.
No reply has ever been received to our request, but at the various interviews which the Portuguese Minister has had with this Department he has requested us to withdraw the Chinese soldiers stationed at Lao Wang Ho Shan, in the vicinity of the Kungpeh Customs.
The reply we received from the Viceroy of Canton to our telegram on the subject stated as follows:
"Lao Wang Ho Shan is the same as the Heng Chin Island, which, together with the other islands in the neighbourhood, is under the jurisdiction of the Hsiang Shan District Magistrate. A military force under the command of a Sub-Prefect was formerly stationed there, but was withdrawn some time after the thirteenth year of Kuang Hsü (1887).
"The Canton Government is now making efforts to reorganize their police force, and has instructed the said Sub-Prefect to search for the site of the old camp, and, having repaired it, to station a force there as formerly. This action will be in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty between Portugal and China, Article 2 of which lays down that until the delimitation of the boundaries has been made everything in respect of them shall continue as at present, without addition, diminution, or alteration by either of the parties.
"Furthermore, the place in question is separated from Macao by sea and does not adjoin it."
Now, the islands in the neighbourhood of the Kungpeh Customs have always been under the jurisdiction of the Hsiang Shan district, and have always had garrisons stationed there. That was the state of affairs prior to the conclusion of the Treaty of the thirteenth year of Kuang Hsü (1887). In accordance with the stipulations of that Treaty, no alteration shall be made so long as the delimitation of the boundaries has not been made. Hence the placing of a garrison by the Viceroy of Canton in the old camp at Lao Wang Ho Shan is a step taken in strict conformity with the Treaty. Moreover, the said place is separated by sea and does not adjoin Macao. So long as delimitation of the boundaries has not been made, how can it be asserted that that place belongs to Macao?
[2960 ee-1]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.1.
T.0.
22340
731
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18328]
No. 1.
Res
[May 28.]
SECTION 1.
20 JUN 08
Li Ching-fong to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 28.)
THE Chinese Minister presents his compliments to Sir Edward Grey, and, with reference to the interview he had with his Excellency on the 8th instant, at which the question of the situation at Macao and the smuggling of arms at that port were the subject of a conversation the purport of which he reported at once to his Government, now begs to inclose an amended translation of a telegram he has received in reply from the Wai-wu Pu explaining the nature of the question with the Government of Macao and the arrangement the Chinese Government desires to have made with a view to the suppression of the illicit trade in arms in that neighbourhood.
Chinese Legation, London, May 26, 1908.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Wai-wu Pu to Li Ching-fong.
(Translation.)
(Telegraphic.)
May 16, 1908.
YOUR telegram of the 7th instant was duly received and read. With regard to the question of contraband traffic in arms and munitions of war at Macao, this Department some time ago addressed a note to the Portuguese Minister requesting that such traffic should be put a stop to.
No reply has ever been received to our request, but at the various interviews which the Portuguese Minister has had with this Department he has requested us to withdraw the Chinese soldiers stationed at Lao Wang Ho Shan, in the vicinity of the Kungpeh Customs.
The reply we received from the Viceroy of Canton to our telegram on the subject stated as follows
"Lao Wang Ho Shan is the same as the Heng Chin Island, which, together with the other islands in the neighbourhood, is under the jurisdiction of the Hsiang Shan District Magistrate. A military force under the command of a Sub-Prefect was formerly stationed there, but was withdrawn some time after the thirteenth year of Kuang Hsü (1887).
"The Canton Government is now making efforts to reorganize their police force, and has instructed the said Sub-Prefect to search for the site of the old camp, and, having repaired it, to station a force there as formerly. This action will be in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty between Portugal and China, Article 2 of which lays down that until the delimitation of the boundaries has been made every- thing in respect of them shall continue as at present, without addition, dimiuntion, or alteration by either of the parties.
"Furthermore, the place in question is separated from Macao by sea and does not adjoin it."
Now, the islands in the neighbourhood of the Kungpeh Customs have always been under the jurisdiction of the Hsiang Shan district, and have always had garrisons stationed there. That was the state of affairs prior to the conclusion of the Treaty of the thirteenth year of Kuang Hsü (1887). In accordance with the stipulations of that Treaty, no alteration shall be made so long as the delimitation of the boundaries has not been made. Hence the placing of a garrison by the Viceroy of Canton in the old camp at Lao Wang Ho Shan is a step taken in strict conformity with the Treaty. Moreover, the said place is separated by sea and does not adjoin Macao. So long as delimitation of the boundaries has not been made, how can it be asserted that that place belongs to Macao?
[2960 ee-1]
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