C.O.
189
Rece
&
113
Government House, Hong KoMAN OI
3rd October 1900.
Sir.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant enclosing copies of two reports from the Officer in command of H.M.S."Robin".
As this question of the affair of the "LungKiang" as it is not an affair of piracy I do not see that I can interfere in it. I am aware that for purposes of convenience and in consequence of the small number of ships at your disposal for the effective protection of British shipping on the river it was requested that these ships flying the British flag should use a particular channel : but I never understood that if one of H.M.Gunboats was available for the purpose, British ships attacked in channels other than the prescribed route were to have protection withdrawn from them. This would be to create an additional restriction upon British trade. I do not mind saying that in my opinion the inhabitants of the West River should be made to feel that any attack upon a British ship would be immediately followed by consequences unpleasant to them : and further, if deliberate insult to one of H.M.Ships be nct sharply and speedily punished, then Her Majesty's Ships had better be withdrawn from the River. It is the old
story of the nettle.
Commodore F. Powell.
I have, etc.
(Sd) Henry A. Blake.