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which gives any ground for apprehension from the point of view of the safety of the Colony. It must however be borne in mind that there is a considerable force of troops in Canton trained, armed, and officered by Russians, that the Russians are supplying money for the support of the Hongkong strikers, and will do all in their power to harm Hongkong. I am however informed to-day that the Commander-in-Chief of the Cantonese Army is sending down an emissary privately to sound this Government as to possible method by which friend- ly relations between Hongkong and Canton may be restored. I took the opportunity of the arrival in the Colony of yesterday of Vice-Admiral Sir E. Alexander Sinclair, en route to hoist his flag to discuss the situation with him. There is no British warship at present in port, owing to the demands from all parts of China, and I hope that no occasion will arise to call for further Naval assistance
here.
1
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
7.2.Stable
Governor, &c.