§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (York)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can inform the House if the Chinese soldiers who took part in the affray at Kowloon were Chinese rebels, or troops in the pay of the Viceroy; and, in view of this occurrence, and of the strong feeling entertained by the colonists of Hong Kong on sanitary and other grounds, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take advantage of the clause in the Agreement with China which permits of the abolition of Chinese administration over the city of 1450 Kowloon (within British territory) if military considerations require it?
§ The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper —
§ GENERAL RUSSELL (Cheltenham)To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British troops and police when occupying the newly-acquired territory near Hong Kong, on the 14th instant, were attacked by a large force of Chinese troops in uniform and armed with guns and rifles; whether there is reason to believe that the Viceroy of Canton and the local Chinese officials were cognisant of the action of their troops; and whether Her Majesty's Government intend to exact summary satisfaction and reparation for such an. insult to the British flag?
GENERAL RUSSELLTo ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether strong representations have been made to Her Majesty' s Government by residents in Hong Kong, and others best acquainted with the state of matters in that section of China, regarding the danger of leaving the town of Kau-lung under Chinese jurisdiction; and whether, in view of what has recently occurred, there is any prospect of the Kau-lung agreement being materially revised?
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to the recent disturbances near Kowloon?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESI think it would be well if Questions on this subject were in future addressed to the Colonial Office, as the Colonial Government have now taken possession of the extension. Telegrams received from the Governor state that the opposition was probably connected with the Triad Secret Society, which is understood to be strong in the neighbouring district, but the flags captured show that the attack included companies of Chinese militia, who were in uniform and armed with guns and rifles. There was a further attack yesterday, when two guns were Captured. There was no loss of life on the British side. The 1451 hostility shown and the doubtful attitude of the Chinese authorities, will necessitate careful reconsideration of the position.
§ MR. GIBSON BOWLES (King's Lynn)Were the two guns captured by the Chinese from the British?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo, Sir.