§ MR. WARTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he could state what is the length of the coast line and what is the number of ports in Chinese territory blockaded by the French Admiral; what is the number of ships under his command; and, what steps, if any, did the Government take to ascertain whether the blockade is in fact effective?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI am informed at the Admiralty that the length of coast line blockaded in the Island of Formosa is 340 miles. There are six ports on this coast. Her Majesty's Government understand that the French Admiral has a considerable force under his command, but I am not able to state the exact number of ships. Her Majesty's Government are in constant communication with their Representatives—Naval, Consular, and Diplomatic 529 —on the spot; but they have not received any information from them casting doubt on the blockade being effective.