CONFIDENTIAL.
Government House, Hong Kong, 26th September 1901.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential Despatch of the 16th August on the subject of the French activity in Southern China.
2. Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge has arranged that there shall be at Canton and in the West River a force equal to that of any Foreign Power. I have since learnt from Chinese sources that the advent of the British ships has been observed by the Chinese Authorities with the liveliest satisfaction.
3. The announcement telegraphed on the 23rd inst., as having been made by the Emperor of Russia that Russia will co-operate with all her strength for the success of French enterprises in the Far East, has created an uneasy sensation in Hong Kong, where the French pretensions so energetically put forward in Canton are being watched with interest not untinged with alarm.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Henry C. Mayn(?) Governor.
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.
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