CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11] — Page 161

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese Functionaries were invited.

F. C With regard to that momentous question - "Will there be war between France and China?” I had, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Peking, much interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with leading Chinese Functionaries, and with leading European and American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced observers of all nationalities, confirm the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has throughout been playing a waiting game. Her leading statesmen, fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that of the Taiping?), even more than external attack, - generally desire peace; but they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove inevitable

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Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese Functionaries were invited. F. C With regard to that momentous question - "Will there be war between France and China?” I had, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Peking, much interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with leading Chinese Functionaries, and with leading European and American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced observers of all nationalities, confirm the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has throughout been playing a waiting game. Her leading statesmen, fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that of the Taiping?), even more than external attack, - generally desire peace; but they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove inevitable
Baseline (Original)
Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese Functionaries were invited. F. C With regard to that momentous question - "Will there "be war between France and China?”__ Ihad, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Viking, much 5 interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with earing Chinese Fretionaries, and· with leading European and American 1597 American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced observers of all nationalitics, confirm L the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has throughout been playing a waiting Her leading statesmen, game. fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that if the saiking?), even more than external ottack, - generally desire peace; but έ they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove inevitable
2026-05-24 00:11:35 · Baseline
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Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese

Functionaries were invited.

F.

C

With regard to that

momentous question - "Will there "be war between France and China?”__

Ihad, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Viking, much

5

interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English

and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with

earing Chinese Fretionaries, and· with leading European and

American

1597

American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced

observers of all nationalitics, confirm

L

the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has

throughout been playing a waiting

Her leading statesmen,

game.

fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that if the saiking?), even more than external

ottack, - generally desire peace; but

έ

they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove

inevitable

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