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there might have a most prejudicial effect on
the whole situation and place the British communities
in other parts of South China in a dangerous position.
Moreover, it would inevitably lead to the preferment
of claims for compensation from those members of
the community whose whole existence is bound up with
their business and other interests at Swatow.
(2) to authorise His Majesty's Consul at Swatow
to make use, as required, of one of His Majesty's ships
which it is understood is stationed at Swatow, for
the purpose of procuring and bringing to Swatow the
provisions required by the community.
(3) to authorise His Majesty's Consul or the
Hongkong authorities to come to some definite
arrangement with the China Navigation Company whereby
the company would be refunded the bare cost involved
in the diversion of their vessels to that port, pro-
vided that the visit of such vessels was necessary in
the interests of the British community and that no
commercial profit to the firm resulted therefrom.
5.
As already stated, the first of these alternative
courses cannot in present circumstances be adopted. It is there-
fore essential to devise some means of supplying the British
resident community with food and necessary supplies by sea,
they are cut off from all such supplies locally.
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6. It remains a question whether the second or third
alternative course now proposed would be the more practical and
economical. Prima facie, it would seem proper that this
service should be undertaken by one of His Majesty's ships; it
nay.