Singapore, June 23.
'A serious view of the situation in Tientsin and Swatow is, it is Heved, being taken by the Anglo-
session here, French Defence Conference now Although confirmation is lacking, it believed that Admiral' Sir Percy Noble, Commander-in-Chief of the British China Station, may accelerate his return to China. believed that the protection of Hongkong formed an important feature of the discussions.
Defence experts ar understood to consider that Hongkong is capable of withstanding along siege, in view Jof recent steps taken to expand and modernize the Colony's defences.
It fs also thought that the British and French naval forees, aithoush smaller than those of a" potential enemy in the Far East, woud have tremendous "nuisance value" unti) reinforcements could arrive.
Pull preparations have already been made for the stationing battle fleet at Sinuapore in the event lot war.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.