CO129-392 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [9-10] — Page 318

CONFIDENTIA L.

*

0.0.

37090

123 NOV 12,

304

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 21st. October, 1912.

Sir,

FO. 20541

With reference to your Despatch marked Con- fidential of the 5th. July, I have the honour to transmit the en- -closed copy of a letter from His Britannic lajesty's Minister at Peking covering a letter addressed to him by the Inspector-General of the Chinese Maritime Customs on the subject of the proposal to ask the Chinese Government to make an annual contribution to the cost of the maintenance of the Gap Rock Lighthouse.

2.

I am not in favour of making such a request to the Chinese Government. If the arrangement made with the Chinese Government in 1888 is to be re-opened at all, the only question which in my opinion should be taken up is that of the cession of the rock to Great Britain. But I do not advise that that question be raised at present. I agree with Sir John Jordan that it would be futile to do so. I shall be glad to learn whether you concur in

my view.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Amay

Governor,&c..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&C..

&C.,

&c...