CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 117

K

Bree

C.O.

18912

&

Po 3 JAN OF

H. M. S. "Tamar' Hong Kong,

H

*

1st October 1900.

Sir,

I have the honour to forward herewith copies of

three letters which I have received from the Commanding

Officer of H. M. S. "Robin" relative to recent occurrences

on the West River.

2.

I beg to observe that the place Luklao where the "Lungkiang" was fired on, is not on the trade route for which the patrol has been arranged and would point cut that it would be better if ships confined themselves to this route, as it is not possible for the two river Gunboats to maintain an efficient patrol of the whole

of the Delba.

3. I have informed Lieut.& Commander Webater that

I cannot authorise his using force to stop these insults

to the British Flag but I trust that some steps can be

taken to ensure the punishment of the offenders and to

make the reason for the punishment generally known.

I have, etc.

(Sd) F. Powell,

Commodore.

s Excellency

Sir H. A. Blake,

G.C.M.G.

Governor &c

HONG KONG