269
he thought I might frame
which would at once satisfy
strong strong
a schema
Government and at the same
time secure the Chinese Revenue, as
understood the difficulties of both. +
For his part he was anxious to cater
Not
only
to the reasonable wishes but
even to the susceptibilities of Hongkong.
but he did not know how to do so,
J
but if he would support my views, and if there were any point in it to which the preservation of Chinese interest
would draw up such a scheme
offered any obstacles, he would discuss
them
with me with a view to their...
modification. He was unwilling
to ask
me to take so much trouble but he
requested it as a personal favour and by the friendship
was induced to do so
that has existed so
long
between
us,
since 1862 when he held a subordinate
position in Canton
Lastly, when Chun arrived
would I discuss the matter with him?
I had proved that something must
be done and probably, I could
prove
the
value
to Chun. It would
be far better to convince than coerce
him