CO129-296 - Public Offices & Others - 1899 — Page 29

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With regard to the former of these two factors, Lord Lans-

Lansdowne considers that a full report on the present condition

of the defences of Amoy should be drawn up, together with alterna-

tive plans for rendering them properly efficient and adapted to

modern requirements. But His Lordship is of opinion that it

would be impolitic to communicate more than vague generalities

to the Chinese authorities until the reports shall have been

thoroughly examined in the War Office.

I have the honour to be

Sir,

Your obedient servant