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conversation reported in that despatch, further despatches had been received from the German Consuls in Southern China, from which it would appear that the French flag was much more frequently seen in Southern China than formerly. It seemed to be the practice that any vessel of which a Frenchman might be part owner, however small the share, or the amount of French capital invested in it, should fly the French flag. Baron von Richthofen added that, with the view of extending their influence, the French authorities were in the habit of granting French protection to any Chinaman who might have resided even for a very short time in French possessions and then returned to the dominions of the Emperor of China.
I have, &c.
FRANK C. LASCELLES.
(Signed)