This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
183
[July 6.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 188.) My Lord,
Mr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received July 6.)
Peking, May 14, 1903,
WITH reference to the despatch No. 12 of the 29th ultimo, in which His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton refers to the rumoured intention of the Governor of Kwang-si to invite the French to co-operate with him in the suppression of the rebellion in that province, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the French Minister denies that there is any foundation for the statement. M. Dubail added, as a proof of the correct attitude adopted by France, that a request recently made by a French Consul in Kwang-si for a guard of fifty men as a protection had been refused, lest such action might lead to exaggeration and consequent misgivings as to French intentions in the province.
I have, &c. (Signed) WALTER TOWNLEY,
[2063 f-1]