Bang Bang
:
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Governmeal one.
harbour and on the lower levels but the Peak is always fairly cool. haiers and civilians live here all the year round, many of them
the Lower levels and the sailors are only here for two years. Possibly to live on ships all the summer would be too trying in any case the ships would be cruisng to Japan ao in the worst ha as they did before Weihaiwei was taken over and if a part of money which would be required to make Weihaiwel a really sat- actory possession were spent in building on the upper levels des for married officers and barracks in which the men could be
ed in detachments, and recreation grounds which could be provid-
by reclamations or on the mainland near the railway, the Navy
have nothing to complain of.
ritish residents in China could always go to other places, Peitang
Foo, Tsingtao &c.
n view therefore is that we should .estore theplace to China,
Te can get anything substantial in return it might be a good
+
3: on the other hand we might profit more in the end by giving
without asking for anything in so e:ening good-will and a
tation for disinterestedness.
he question of a quid pro quo suggests another matter which is
ilaportanee. As you no doubt know the wew jerritories of Hongkong
eld on a lease of which only about 75 years are still to run.
The question of what is to happen then he been on my mind for
3 time. If China claims the leased area back, can we refuse?
hot, the position will be very awkward. The military considerations
made it necessary to lease this territory will still be present
oreover, the water supply of Kowloon is in this area and as the
ption in the island increases it 1, not improbable that we shall
yeare or so have to draw water for Hongkong from the mainland
voir by means of pipes under the harbour.
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