12487 Hongkong
511
reiterating - as he did in his despatch of the 13th - the effect of the Proclamation.
MINUTE PAPER.
with Mr. Holland I agree, but I am apprehensive that we may get into a false position hereafter if we do not do rather more than he proposes.
1. As to the matter of fare, I think that Mr. Robertson, being aware, as appears from his letters, fully that this proceeding on the part of the Chinese authorities would be strongly objected to by the Government, ought not to have encouraged the Chinese to complete it & announce it till he had given Sir R. Macdonnell an opportunity of stating those objections.
At the same time, the nature of the objections which Sir R. Macdonnell has in fact raised in this case, & the love with which he habitually raises objections, are such that I can understand the desire of the diplomatic authorities to avoid...