CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12] — Page 179

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own Government which had been the cause of the trouble

alike from their inability to protect trade from piracy and

from their harsh and unjust treatment of launches under the

Chinese flag which had driven owners to seek a Foreign

Flag.

8.

The object of the patrol was of course

to bring pressure to bear upon the Viceroy and the collapse

of the indignation caused by our action, and the acquies-

cence of the riverain population in the presence of the

Gunboats would tend to shew that the pressure is ineffi-

cient to effect any result. The war vessels cannot remain

indefinitely, and the question arises as to what action

should now be taken.

I have not been consulted as to the

action hitherto taken, but His Excellency the Commander-in-

Chief has most kindly furnished me with a synopsis of the

whole matter compiled from Records in his office, and I am

indebted to this most able compilation for the resume con-

tained in this despatch. I have today received from the

Admiral a letter (copy enclosed) in which he consults me as

to what action short of forcible measures, can be taken to

put further pressure on the Viceroy. In reply I have

addressed to him the letter which forms Enclosure II of

this

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