far reaching consequence
in the event of failure, I had determined to build that Shed as Temporary quarters so that when our flag is hoisted the large district shall not be left derelict, but that our police would at once take up their protective duties
and
The other departments would enter upon their work of registration, land making,
without any delay
of the Erection of the Matshed, were resisted it would necessitate the postponement of all work until the territory had been taken over;
The protection of working parties by British troops and armed police;
The Continuance of the work with the active Cooperation of the Chinese Authorities.
The last seemed to me by far the most desirable course; but instructions from Pekin would be obtained without delay. The instructions have hitherto been carried out in a rather perfunctory manner, and I had been repeatedly informed by our Consul at Canton that it was useless for him to try to get the Viceroy to move until the first indication of our intention would be to meet resistance, which might court Grave Trouble on the existing...