into the matter and
duly repremand
the offenders; he was likewise instructed to give peremptory orders to the Cruisers that in conformity with existing Regulations they must not enter British waters.
The following report has now been received from Mr McLeavy Brown:
"In order to obviate the raising of diplomatic issues between the two countries the cruisers attached to this station have never been permitted to enter British waters at random.
"Instructions in this sense were circulated a long time ago and obedience to which was enjoined.
In view of the statement made by H.M. Consul that an infraction of British Territoriality had been committed by Customs cruisers searching for contraband, the Commissioner will have the Captains of the various vessels concerned called together and take a searching investigation into the matter and should it prove that such has been the case deal with the offenders accordingly.
He will in addition reiterate his instructions to the cruisers that for the future in the performance of their duty they are to be strictly guided by existing regulations and that they must on no account unauthorisedly enter British waters; as should they do so the case will be investigated and transgressors punished.
The Governor General has to observe that longstanding orders having been issued to all Chinese Steamers and Cruisers that they must not take upon themselves...