With the troops at Hong Kong being
We are in communication
Reached you
be aware
You will
I Enclose a copy
of the despatch which I have received from Her Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As he has anticipated, the force here will be helpless and quite incapable of any effective action against Kowloon.
The Chinese authorities, however, I am delighted to observe have expressed a desire to co-operate with the British Authorities and any force however limited which it may be in their power to associate with them, renders it desirable that you should report to me on the subject and inform me how far you feel authorized to proceed, and in what way you conceive any operation with the Chinese might best be carried into effect. I shall be glad to receive a more definite description of the representations it will be your duty to make.
I have &c.
FR. Rutherford Alcock
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