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by the Hongkong Community, and to the apprehensions often expressed that the presence of a Chinese Consul would prove detrimental to
British interests and to those
of the Chinese Inhabitants of the Colony, Lord Rosebery would suggest that the appointment, if agreed to, should be experimental only, and that the assent of Her Majesty's government thereto should be so
guarded that the arrangement
may if necessary be
rescinded,
I am to
request that in laying this letter before Earl Granville, you
will
move His Lordship to inform Lord Rosebery whether he concurs in the views above expressed, in order that a reply may be returned to the application received from the Yamên
I am
Your most obedient, humble servant,
P.W. Fair