CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3] — Page 267

265

"In answer

I have given

to

your telegram

to the proper

local

of the 22nd January ;- if at any

time

you

have

#

reason

to believe

that the Messageries Maritimes

ships

are e

employed in affording

"assistance to military operations,

#

-report fully by telegraph detailed. particulars respecting such m services; if not so employed,

#

they should not be considered.

of the

"public ships" in the sense telegraphie instructions. Also,

#

Chinese revenue cruisers should

not be so considered"

directions

officers in

pursuance of the above instructions","

and I have also intimated to the French Consul that the Mail-steamers

of the Messageries Maritimes will not be interfered with so long as there is no reason to believe that they are employed in affording -- assistance to military operations. For some time past, these steamers have touched at Keelung in Formosa

their

- voyage between Hongkong

and Japan;

and there can be no

doubt