Peking seem to have been taken by surprise, equally with the other foreign residents in China, by this suddenly arranged Convention. Instructions would appear to have been sent by Telegraph direct from Paris to Admiral Lespès, commanding the French Naval Forces in China; for the new French Minister (M. Patenôtre) the successor of M. Tricou, is now only on his way out from Europe; while the Consul of France at Hongkong and a junior member of the French Legation at Peking, who happened to be here last week, both informed me that nothing of the Convention, and, indeed, when they first heard of it, expressed their disbelief. It is generally surmised here, rightly or wrongly, that France was desirous to arrive at a speedy settlement of her difficulties with China, so as to enjoy greater freedom of action in the event of complications arising in Europe, and in view of French policy with regard to Egypt.
237
Peking
seem to have been taken
by surprise, equally with the other
foreign residents in China, by this suddenly arranged Convention.co Instructions would appear to have been sent by Telegraph direct from
Paris to Adûrical Léspiès, commanding
the French Naval Forecs in China; for the new French Minister
(ell. Pate nôtre) the succe
●ll. M
ccccessor of m
on
mem
Sis
Tricou, is now only way out from Europe; white the Consul of France at Hongkong and a junior member of the Fouch
French Legation at Peking, who_.~ happened to be here last week, both
informed me that nothing of the Convention, aud, indeed, when they first heard
of it, expressed their disbelief. It is generally surmised here, rightly
we that they knew in
Avas
~~
or wrongly, that France desirous to arrive at a speedy settlement of her difficulties w China, so as to enjoy greater freedom
of
with
"action in the event of complications arising in Europe, and in view of French policy with regard to
1554
2
Egypt
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