34
immediataty proceeding to
unfortunate your inconsiderate haste
to consult with the three Chinese
a
members of the Legislative Council
in Hong Kong, the Committee of the
General Chamber of Commerce and the
Committee of the China Association
on a document of so highly
confidential a character. This
action was taken, moreover, without
the preliminary precaution of
or. to the S.$75.
telegraphing to Sir M. Lampson/in
order to ascertain whether there was
any objection to it. Had this
necessary precaution been taken it
would have been explained to you
that the action which you contemplated
would interfere with Sir M.
Lampson's liberty of action and
hamper him in the carrying out of
his instructions.
The Foreign Office further
point out that Sir M. Lampson has
been placed in the embarrassing
position