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existing lawless state of affairs in the provinces of
Kwangtung and Kwangsi. This view is borne out by
the Commander in Chief on the China Station in his
minute of November 20th, 1899, of which a copy was en-
Sir
closed in your letter of the 3rd January last.
Edward Seymour states that Her Majesty's Ships "Sand-
piper" and "Tweed" and torpedo boat No.36 have between
them to cover a distance of more than 195 miles of
river, besides many miles of creeks, and that neither
the "Sandpiper" or the "Tweed" can command a speed of
more than 9 and 7 knots respectively.
I am directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to re-
quest you to invite the attention of the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty to the matter, and to express
His Lordship's hope that the question of the most
suitable class of vessel for service on these rivers
may be reconsideret, and that very early measures may
be taken to lay down more powerful vessels for the
protection of British trade both on the West River
and on the Yangtze ahove Hankow.
(Signed)
I am &c.,
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