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by the people of Po On District. However, as Hong Kong is but a little dot in the map, so the national insult was then pocketed. It was all out of expectation that after the Boxer trouble Kwongchowwan was occupied by the French; and the British, with the pretext of maintaining the equilibrium of influence, began to occupy vi et armis Kowloon and its vicinity, which were taken as the wall of protection for the Island of Hong Kong, as further concessions for another period of ninety-nine years; and it was then demanded by the British Government that she would have permanent sovereignty over the Island of Hong Kong. The boundaries of these concessions are: east, Tai Pang Wan (Bay); west. Hau Hoi (Deep Water Bay); south, Dam Kon Mountain; north, Shum Chun River, Hong Kong is included within these boundaries. The area of these concessions, including land and sea, is about 100 Chinese square li. Although this is a national disgrace, most unfortunately the great majority of Chinese citizens knows or hears nothing of the matter. Moreover, Hong Kong is the throat, so to speak, of the European-Asiatic communications.
Under the circumstances, it will for ever bring no small troubles to the Po On people, if and when the boundaries are not clearly demarcated. In the 27th year of Kwong Shui of the Tsing Dynasty, the then traitor Government most lavishly It was presented to the British Government concessions of Chinese territories. then stated that Shum Chun should be the boundary river, and it has been clearly defined in the north that the British concession boundary ends at the southern part of the dividing line of the river, whereas the northern part of the dividing line of the river is absolutely under the Chinese jurisdiction. The western part of the river should be neutral.
In the east the British boundary ends at Hau Hoi; it was originally fixed that Lek Sum, as is so-called by the natives, in the middle of Hau Hoi, was the boundary. A buoy was put there so as to indicate that the western part belongs to China. Nevertheless, the British Government began to eat away the Chinese sovereignty, by requesting the Government at the end of Tsing Dynasty to appoint a special commissioner for demarcating the concessions' boundaries again.
A special deputy, named Wong Chuen Sin, was then appointed by the then This Provincial Government to proceed to Po On District for this purpose. mandarin was a born traitor, so after accepting heavy bribes from the British Government, consequently approved of the British Government's request that the jurisdiction over the river waters which flowed outwards to Hau Hoi absolutely belonged to the British Government. Consequently, the buoy which was put for a long time was removed, and thus the whole Hau Hoi became British waters. The thing that is most contradictory to the international justice is that the British Government declares that wherever the water flows there is the British territory. Therefore. the several tens of li of precious and valuable coastal lands on which oyster ponds can be developed and shell-fish can be found become British possessions. All cargo boats, oyster boats and fishing boats must apply to the Hong Kong Govern- ment for licences before they are allowed to sail on the river. Thus the British territory acquisition extends as far as the bank of the Hau Hoi, and is only about several li from the District City Wall. This interference of national sovereignty is, in fact, the surviving disgrace left us by our traitor, the Tsing Dynasty, and is the most insulting national affair which we can hardly bear. Although his Excellency the ex-Viceroy of Two Kwongs, named To Mo, took the matter up afterwards with the Hong Kong Government, owing to his ignorance and lack of substantial influence, it has been kept in abeyance until the present moment.
Proposed Measures to be taken.
As the British Government is eating away our Chinese sovereignty as aforesaid, and as this is not the opportune time for us to claim back Kowloon and other concessions, we have to further bear the national disgrace with patience, but we sincerely hope that the Canton Government would send an official despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong demanding redemarcation of boundaries, and at the same time a special deputy should be sent to Po On District with authority to fully discuss matters with the deputy appointed by the Hong Kong Government, with a view to amending the New Territory Boundary to its previous status, that is to say, the boundary shall be fixed at the dividing line of the Shum Chun River and the dividing line of Hau Hoi. A special indicator shall be put up signifying the division of the concession and the Chinese territory, in order that no further disputes or
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misunderstandings will happen. By so doing, it will not only bring substantial gains to the District of Po On, but it also contributes happiness and peace to the country as a whole. We therefore humbly request all the gentlemen attending the conference to unanimously vote on our motion, and we hope that instructions to that effect be issued accordingly.
Proposed by Chang Kai Tsung, Po On Magistrate. Seconded by Ma Hung Wun, Namhoi Magistrate.
Siu Koon Ying, Shun Tak Magistrate. Shek Cho Sum, Samshui Magistrate.
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Ho Ming Hon. Fung Chun Magistrate. Chan Sou Yan, Tsing Yuen Magistrate.
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