I now enclose copies to the Governor of the letters which I have recorded to the India Office on the subject of claims last week.
You will see that whilst one set of officials in India were disposed to modify their views on this subject as abroad and known to Govt. "Nevertheless you will be of opinion that as stated in Govt. Desp. No 428 of the 25th May last it is most desirable that the assurance given by the French Govt to the temporary character of some of the objectionable privileges conferred by the Commercial Treaty being rendered binding either by a formal alteration in the wording of the Treaty, or otherwise.
Lord Salisbury's opinion is shared by the Earl of Carnarvon, who considers that the mere assurance contained in the French Memorandum regarding the liberty of other Powers to conclude Treaties with Annam, and the restriction thereby of the jurisdiction conferred by the present Treaty to persons of other European Nationalities under French Officers can hardly be deemed sufficient, but that the Treaty itself should be amended so as to be equally explicit in this respect. If there are any practical difficulties in the revision of the Treaty itself, that some other means should be adopted for obviating any possible misinterpretation.