CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 54

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The Governor also reports that the Government of Hong

Kong were despatching a vessel to act in conjunction with

the Chinese. The Portuguese Covernment feared that such

co-operation between the British and Chinese forces would

seriously prejudice the sovereign rights whion Fortugal

claims over the island, and they have accordingly instructed

their Minister to express the hope that the British.

authorities would refrain from taking any active measures

otherwise than in consultation with the Governor of Macao,

who on his part states that he has sufficient troops at his

disposal to deal with the situation alone.

I am therefore to request that in order to obviate any

misunderstanding a further telegrain may be sent to the

Governor of Hong Kong, instructing him to direct that no

steps may be taken except after consultation with the

Governor of Macao, as well as with the Chinese authorities.

It would be well however not to let pedantic obstruction

or dilatoriness on the part of either Fortuguese or Chinese

prevent