Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese Functionaries were invited.
F. C With regard to that momentous question - "Will there be war between France and China?” I had, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Peking, much interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with leading Chinese Functionaries, and with leading European and American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced observers of all nationalities, confirm the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has throughout been playing a waiting game. Her leading statesmen, fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that of the Taiping?), even more than external attack, - generally desire peace; but they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove inevitable