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and make for the interior, leaving the foreigners to take what vengeance they might please on Canton. The contingency might perhaps be improbable, but in view of its possibility I urged the General to set formalities aside in the public interest and he has done so. It is due to his own tact and charming personality that he has also succeeded in avoiding any friction either with the Consul General or with the Naval authoʻrities. At the same time I may point out that he was compelled to substitute for the officer he had selected to command one who was junior in rank in order that he should not be senior to the Naval officer in command.
9.
The French Consul seeing our wire
fencing at once asked if the General could lend him some for the similar defence of his front and this request is being complied with.
10.
It is of course impossible to say how
far these steps may have averted a serious contingency, which would have involved this Colony, and my only excuse for such personal action as I have taken is that on the one hand the General has sought an expression of my views, and that on the other hand it is my duty as I conceive it, not only to look to the eventual effect on this Colony of any serious events which may occur in the neighbouring part of China but to safeguard British interests in
general so far as lies in my power.
11.
I trust that in the course of action I
have adopted, and in laying the circumstances fully before
you I have your approval, and I venture respectfully to
suggest that the uncertain and divided responsibility
upon which General Anderson lays emphasis in his despatch
BONELİNİİEE constitutes a danger to British interests
in South China.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Banga
Governor, etc,.
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