80. 140.
Despre the el
..
14023
7 MAY 00
312
Government House,
HongKong, April, 1900,
fol. 1.
April, 1900.
2
and April,
1900.
Sir.
I have the honour to enclose for your in-
formation a report received yesterday, of an attack upon a Bri-
tish launch on the West River, in which the pilot was killed
and three men wounded. Immediately on the receipt of the report
I telegraphed its contents to Her Britannic Majesty's Consul
at Canton for transmission to the Viceroy, and I sent a copy
to Admiral Sir E.Seymour,K.C.B.,with the enclosed letter.
Unfortunately there was no British gun-
2.
boat in the river at the time, the Sandpiper" having returned
yesterday to HongKong for repairs as she had met with an ac-
cident. Admiral Seymour is sending two gunboats to the scene
of the attack today, but I fear that no trace of the attacking
party will be found. I hope that the Viceroy will take effect-
ual means to secure the release of the Compradore, who has in
all probability been held for ransom. The whole of the delta
in the neighbourhood of the attack is practically in the
hands of those robbers, and it is impossible to control it
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
8c0.
BCC.
&C.
from
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