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have not only become more powerful and the latter power established in force in Cochin China and
but the former has
established at Vladivostock a base of operations which, when connected with Russia by railway, will become a standing menace to English Interests.
Seven years ago, China has undergone a most remarkable change. Twenty-five years ago, the Chinese government was not in possession of a single steam war vessel; at the present moment, there is at anchor in this harbour an Imperial Chinese squadron, consisting of four heavily armed ironclads and two powerful cruisers. It must also be taken into consideration, that the Japanese have a still more powerful fleet than the Chinese.
8 I have already brought to the notice of Your Royal Highness, the strength of the troops in this garrison and their insufficiency for the defence.