onfidential.
ng
Rece
REC 10 NA
Government House.
13/10/00
194
see 19397 Samed
123917 Seur!!
Sir
I have the honour to enclose cuttings from
the local press by which you will see that the
British steamers trading between Hongkong & Wuchou
have been withdrawn from the West River, finding that
they could not be profitably employed under the
restrictions of the Inland Navigation Regulations,
as at present interpreted.
2.
It will be remembered that the co-operation
of 1.M's Navy was offered to Viceroy Ll Jung Chang
& at first accepted by him, but afterwards declined.
It will be observed that now the French have entered
into an arrangement with the acting Viceroy, through
their Consul, & their gunboats are busily employed.
It looks as if the French may acquire a predominant
influence on the West & East Rivers. They have at
present four ships at Canton, two of them gunboats
of the Woodlark type that have lately been put
together in this port.
3. I have no doubt that Her Majesty's Ships
would be ready to co-operate, if desired. The
incidents referred to in the enclosed cuttings
he Right Honourable
Joseph Chamberlain M.P.
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
have
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.