(T)
by the stroulation of the basest falsehoo
hoods,
some of then so
improbable to an educati person as to appear not worthy of
son siders tion, but the ignorant sasses in China who read
vernacular pese are not able to distinguish the false fron
the
107
peers to be most important to undertake count propaganda, or at least to stop or reduce the extent of Anti-
British propaganda and such work can only be carried out by
persons having such familiarity with the Chinese language and
habite of thought as to be able to spread the truth in the
way most likely to be effective. Buch persons should get into
touch with the editors and others connected with the vernacular
prese, and do their best to secure the public tion of truthful
statements as to British actions and sympathies. This kind of
work coult, it is thought, be best undert-ken by such an agent
aa has been suggested above in conjunction with his other
motivities.
sum up, I wish to impress upon His Majesty'
Government the fact that no settlement arrived at in Peking can
be successful in protecting British interests in china unless
it is acceptable in Canten also.
And I wish to suggest that the Government should open
informal and secret negotiations with those in power at dantom
with a view to arriving at the basis of a settlement that will
be acceptable both so the North and the South or, if that be
impossible at present, with a view to a restoration of friendly