CO129-304 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [1-4] — Page 589

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and

5)

at present stationed in the Yang-tse, for which duty I have Sir

Edward Seymour's authority for saying that they are unsuitable, are

exactly what are required for the West River where the French have

now two boats of that class. May I suggest that the Admiralty be ap

proached withaa view to their transfer.

4. In addition to the cases mentioned in my Con-

fidential Despatch of 13th. October 1900, the three letters of which

I enclose copies will show the difference in the action of the Con-

suls of France and Great Britain and the energetic assertion of the

demands of the former, I need hardly emphasise the effect upon Brit-

:ish prestige of the invariable success of French interference even

in cases where the British Consul has been induced to move.

་

5. While I have reason to believe that Chinese

feeling towards British subjects in the southern provinces is less

antagonistic than towards any other nationality, I am equally assur-

ed that our influence is far weaker than that of either France or

Germany. The Chinese know that those nations are willing to wound

not afraid to strike, and fear of consequences is the domin~] ant factor in the Chinese mind in determining how far to comply with

even the most legitimate demands. An energetic Consul at Canton would have a far-reaching effect upon British interests in the south

of China.

I have the honour to be

Sir,

Your most obedient

humble Servant

Henry Aslake

Governor, &c.

Confidential

The U.S. AS 7.0

lux

16/5.

piqu

in Thum

fal 12/4/01

--(last three

عمر

evelismes in

original)

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to call his

Lordship's special attention to

the

concluding passays.