CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 228

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.

226

C.O

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

25753]

No. 1.

6818 |

[July 8.]

Race 10 AUG

SECTION

Sir,

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 8.)

Downing Street, July 7, 1909. I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you a copy of a secret despatch from the governor of Hong Kong with regard to the tenure of the leased territories adjoining the colony, together with a draft of the reply which, with Sir E. Grey's concurrence, his Lordship proposes to send to Sir F. Lugard.

I am, &c.

H. BERTRAM COX.

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Governor Sir F. Lugard to the Earl of Crewe,

(Secret.) My Lord,

Government House, Hong Kong, May 26, 1909, IT has been continually reported in telegrams from Peking, published in the local press, that the Wai-wu Pu is conducting negotiations with the British Minister for the retrocession of Wei-hai Wei.

2. I am informed by Sir John Jordan that there is no truth in this report, but if at any future time His Majesty's Government should contemplate such a step, I venture to submit to your Lordship that the permanent cession to Great Britain of the leased territories of this colony might suitably form one of the conditions of the cession of Wei-hai Wei.

3. There is no need for me to recapitulate to your Lordship the urgent and vital reasons of defence, &c., which led to the occupation of these territories, or to emphasise the large outlay in buildings, roads, and railway which has been incurred in the territories since their acquisition. The lease expires in 1997, and it is conceivable that a situation of considerable difficulty may then arise.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

I have, &c.

F. D. LUGARD.

(Secret.) Sir,

Draft despatch from the Earl of Crewe to Governor Sir F. Lugard.

Downing Street, July', 1909. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your secret despatch of the 26th May and to inform you that if at any time the rendition of Wei-bai Wei to China is contemplated, His Majesty's Government will not fail to give careful consideration to your suggestion that the permanent cession to Great Britain of the leased territories adjoining Hong Kong should form one of the conditions of the

I have, &c.

arrangement.

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