70
May
have some effect in
lessening the fierce hostility,
towards all
foreigners
Written S.
Hatch N.342
distinction, which has lately
been developed among
the populace of the
great
Cities
of China, and especially of Canton.
6. These hostile preparations
prove that the Chinese expect
an attack on Canton by the
French Forces. It is, of course,
impossible to foretell from
one day to another what
orders Admiral Courbet may
receive by telegraph from
Paris. But as I have already
reported, there is reason
to believe
GR1784/544
that the French
have no intention of
bombarding, or even of blockading Canton, Shanghai,
and
the other principal Treaty
Ports; for such action could
not fail to
cause so serious
an interference with foreign
trade as to lead to
complications with England, Germany, and the United
States
of
America. It is thought.