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way in which the Canton Goverment may be induced to help us
provided we are prepared on occasion to make some return.
That they chiefly want, of course, is munitions of war, and
as we cannot allow them to obtain that from British sources,
we must try and meet their wishes in other ways. But if in
everything we adopt a non-possumus attitude and confine ourselves
to registering protests against taxation and other infringements
of treaty rights, I must not be expected to make much progress
in restoring really cordial relations between the Colonial
Goverment and the powers that be in Canton. I hope therefore
that it may be found possible to re-examine the question of the
Chinese telegraph office and to arrive at some solution
acceptable to the local government, and more in accordance with
present political conditions.
I have eto..
(Signed) J.7. Brenan.
Acting Consul-General.