CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884 — Page 91

90

France had no intention of

attacking any of the Chinese

ports. If the French Govt should

be obliged to resort to extreme

meamus

Case

they would in any

tate care to send a

presious notification to the

neutral

powers ( this, the

Ambanador said, implied of

itself

a declaration of war).

In Terry added that there was

no legitimate

reason for the

Chinese Govt to close the Treaty

ports,

parts,.

Ay

I that

u Commander

of the French squadron would be instructed to join his colleagues

in protesting against such a measure. The Funch Chargé d'Affaires would also be instructed to mathe

representations. In Waddingten

said further that there was no change, and no

the part

wish on

of the French Gwernment to make any change, in their policy towards China.

H. E argued that the Powers had

a right to protest against such

mamires

as were

being

taken by

The Canton authorities, incomuch

as

the Chinese government were

bound to heepopen the treater

port