- 7
Enclo No. 3.
13.
However, on the previous day (18th May)
Mr. Brenan, having received from Sir Miles Lampson
a telegram dated 17th May agreeing to the former's
recommendations in his original telegram of the 16th
May, namely demands for immediate punishment of
offenders and apology, failing which retaliatory
action to be taken in accordance with Admiralty
telegram No.812 of the 11th May, despatched to
the Canton Ministry for Foreign Affairs the document
of which I attach a copy, repeating his three previous
demands, adding that the compensation required was
$200 and that, as regards punishment of the offenders,
that of the officer directly responsible for this murderous attack, which might have cost several lives, should include a term of imprisonment, and concluding that all these demands "must be complied with in full
on or before Monday, the 23rd May, failing which the
British authorities reserve to themselves the right to take such action as they may consider appropriate."
>
14. On the 19th May, in telegram No.37 to the Foreign Office, Mr. Brenan reported what he had done, adding:- "As regards sanctions I approve proposal of Senior Naval Officer, West. River, (i.e., Commander J.U.P. Fitzgerald) for destruction of matshed barracks
and gun positions. Hong Kong Governor's desire for
capture of Bogue forts and Dane Island, which contains
Military Academy, seems to me out of proportion to offence which caused no material damage, and beyond intention of Admiralty telegram, although such action
may become necessary later if Chinese show fight, which is unlikely.' Mr. Brenan also telegraphed on the 19th May, to His Majesty's Consuls at Swatow, Amoy,
Foochow,