CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 528

mediate.

Sir:-

The Secretary

.

10110

IS MAY 20 FOREIGN OFFICE:

April 19th, 1900.

519

In the debate on the affairs of China which took

place in the House of Commons on the 30th ultimo the

suitability of the gunboats now maintained on the Up-

per Yangtze and on the West River for the efficient

protection of British interests was called in ques-

tion.

As regards the Yangtze it was stated that want of

sufficient steaming power would prevent either the

"Woodcock" or the "Woodlark* from ascending the rapids

at all states of the river without the aid of trackers

and that in the event of 1sturbances no such assis-

tance from the shore might be forthcoming.

On the West River additional vessels, and vessels

of greater power than those at present engaged in the

patrol appear to be urgently required in view of the

existing

of the Admiralty.

}