CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11] — Page 282

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that my ordinary source of information in such a case

would be the British Consul General at Canton. He said

that the Portuguese Consul at Canton was already in

communication with Mr Jamieson (who has recently succeeded

Acting Consul General Fox) and that the latter was doing

his best to ascertain the facts. I said I would make

such enquiries as were in my poyer.

3.

I gathered the impression that General

Machado considered the continuation of the negotiations

altogether hopeless, and that arbitration was the only

resource left, but that he feared to break off the

negotiations lest the Chinese should "occupy the territory

in dispute", which in effect meant an attack on Macao,

and the occupation of the Macao waters since the Chinese

deny the Portuguese rights in the Harbour.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's humble, obedient servant,

garch

Governor.