Viceroy gives an evasive reply (helosure No. 0) to my
204
complaints of newspaper misrepresentations. This is the only
official communication I have received from Hie Äxcellency
since the day the "Fabshan" arrived: he has issued no
proclamation nor has he expressed, either to me or to the
Portuguese Consul, any opinion on the result of the enquiry.
In unclosure No. 9 I forward copies and translations
of typical oxtracts from articles in thu vernacular prese
deuling with the "Tatshan" affair.
A poruesl of the correspondence above referred to
muy surest to you certain points with regard to my 108-
ition in this case requiring explanation. I venture to place
bafore you some of the considerations which prompted my
action in the mattor.
.
I allowed the Namhoi agistrate and one of the Vice-
roy's deputies to hold an informal inqueet on board the
"Patshan" for two reasons, firstly because I hoped that an
inquest held on board would attract less attention than one
held on the wharf, and secondly because I knew that by
Chinese law en inquest whereever possible must be held un
the