CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 530

Copy.

1.5521.

Sir:-

521

10118

ADMIRALTY.

15 MAY 20

7th. May 1900.

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had

before them your letter of the 19th. ultimo, referring

to the debate on the affairs of China which took place

in the House of Commons on the 30th. March last, in

the course of which, the suitability of the gunboats

now maintained on the Upper Yangtze, and on the West

River, for the efficient protection of British in-

terests, was called in question.

With reference to the hope expressed by the Mar-

quess of Salisbury that my Lords will reconsider this

question, and take early measures to lay down more

powerful vessels for this service,

make the following observations.

-

I am directed to

As regards the gunboats *Woodlark" and "Woodcock"

vessels of thirteen knots speed, and with a draught of

from two to two and a half feet, which are at present

The Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office.

employed