2.
740
л
be successful and come forward as a patriotic anti-
foreign leader with Russian backing.
3. I should be glad to know whether this view
of the situation is, in your opinion, approximately
correct.
4. But, if my apprehensions are well founded,
the urgent question seems to be whether His Majesty's
Government, against whom the movement is primarily
directed, can, without giving a false impression
of weakness, properly make any further declaration
or take any further step which might relieve the
tension by restoring confidence in British
impartiality and good intentions.
5. Would it, for instance, serve to placate
Chinese feeling if we were to appoint a small
commission to investigate the administration of
Shanghai, end if we were to anounce that an
impartial personage of high standing would be sent
out from England as chairman of the commission?
Sir R. Macleay inclines to the view that this
question had better await the findings of the
diplomatic body but I should also like to have
your opinion on this matter.