384
Jogi
roy had been instructing the Chinese Minister in London to procure the abrogation of the preliminary agreement on the ground that it was a private arrangement through Hsuing-hua1, he telegraphed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies urging adoption of stronger measures.
On the same day (March 10th) I informed His Majesty's Consul General Mr. Pu's promise to again see the Viceroy: and instructed him to address His Excellency a Note asking for information on negotiations.
The Viceroy was not satisfied with the whole consideration of the advisability of recommending His Majesty's Government to instruct His Consul General to take official action with regard to the negotiations.
I informed Sir Matthew Nathan by telegraph of my instructions to Mr. Scott and said that if they did not advance matters I would concur in his proposed telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.