198-271
5 109
- 5 -
for the British flag. We were, therefore, heartily
in accord with Mr. Brenan's action in demanding apology, punishment and reparation for the attack
on s.s. "Tangshan".
8. We did not know why or on whose orders (if indeed on any orders at all) Chinese soldiers near the Whampoa forts had fired at s.s. "Lungshan" but we considered that, if the reasonable and moderate demands made by Mr. Brenan were not complied with, the Canton Government would be identified with this wanton anti-British outrage, and that, therefore, the sanctions must be such as would effectively prevent any further outrage of the kind, permanently keep open the waterways between Hong Kong and Shameen and give our shipping full security. The only sanctions of this nature were in our opinion the capture of the Bogue Forts and of the Dane Island Defences and for such an operation the naval and military forces now
in Hong Kong are adequate.
9.
The whole object of His Majesty's Government being restoration of security, freedom and equal opportunity of British trade in China, we considered that a fourth demand should be added to the three already made by Mr. Brenan, namely, a guarantee by the Canton Government against further anti-British outrages and the suppression of all anti-British manifestations.
10. As regards the time-limit to be given for compliance, we understood that General Li Chai-sum at his interview with Mr. Brenan on the 16th May had agreed to give an answer in three days time, i...,on the 19th May. The inquiries necessary to be made by General Li were of the simplest nature, the outrage
having