FO371-23518 — Page 388

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harbour here, and I propose, subject to Your Excellency's

views, that a request should be put forward to the

Chinese Government to order the officer in charge of

the "Freedom of China" to hand over to the Harbour

Master for safe custody the breech-locks of the six-

and twelve-pounder guns, thirty seven rifles, all the

rifle ammunition, except three hundred rounds which

might be kept for guard purposes, and the war heads of

all torpedoes. The officer in charge of the "YING FU",

alias "WING FOOK", would similarly be required to hand

over the breech-locks of his machine guns and all but

three hundred rounds of rifle ammunition. No action

would be necessary to disarm further the "CHING KONG".

4. If Your Excellency sees no objection to this

course, I should accordingly be grateful if the Chinese

Government could be asked to issue the necessary orders,

and if at the same time it could be conveyed to them

that it is regretted that in default of early compliance

this Government will have no option but to instruct

the officers commanding these vessels to leave the harbour

and sail them away from the Colony.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) G.A.S. NORTHCOTE.

GOVERNOR.

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