Ellen grinned appreciatively.
“If one’s name is not Erskine, sir?”
“Then the maintenance of a full and effective Intelligence Branch will take many hours of every day. Inevitably, the Senior Naval Officer lacks the necessary funds for such an organisation to be effective. That demands the recruitment of allies in the Chinese communities who will bear much of the cost and provide information from their own people. That is no easy task, of course. I have the advantage of having been cultivated by Lord Ping and his able son; they certainly believe they have made me their satellite. It could be a time consuming and fascinating post, was one to put in the effort.”
Centurion appeared in the river and made a performance of firing salutes.
“Drawing attention to herself, my dear. Giving notice to the gwailo population that important things are to be done. I wonder what the Old Man has in mind?”
Ellen did not know but hoped it would be beneficial to them.
“Number Ones, I think, today – not the frockcoat but the best doeskins. I must look pretty, I believe. Carriage down to SNO’s office – I must not splash mud on shoes or trousers today!”
Two Chinese footmen joined the driver of the carriage and jumped down as it drew up, standing to the side of the door so that Magnus could not brush against the dirty wheels; he was pristine clean when he entered the office.
“In good time, Eskdale. We are to report to Jellicoe for ten o’clock. He will brief us then carry us into the Presence in his own time. All very formal today, I do not doubt.”
Captain Jellicoe was pleased to see them, so he said, and offered tea.
“Too early by far for anything stronger, gentlemen!”
Captain Erskine made it clear that he would not object to a pink gin, even at ten in the morning.
“Nothing like a pinkers, I always say, Captain Jellicoe.”
Jellicoe did not respond. Magnus noticed that Captain Erskine was not prepared to call Jellicoe ‘sir’; both were post captains, but Jellicoe was senior in position. It would have been a courtesy to acknowledge Jellicoe’s standing as flag-captain, though it was an appointment rather than a rank.
“Tea does me very well of a morning, sir,” Magnus commented.
Jellicoe smiled, implied that he was aware of Magnus’ virtue, then turned to Erskine.
“What’s the griff from inland, Captain Erskine?”
The Intelligence Department in Hong Kong was well-informed on what was actually happening in China but could easily miss local news and rumours that people believed, even if untrue.
Captain Erskine had no answer – espionage and such was not the domain of the gentleman, he said.
Captain Jellicoe was not pleased but tried to be polite.
“Heard anything of this Harmonious Fist, or Heavenly Fist, some are calling it, Erskine?”
“Some sort of Chink rubbish, Captain Jellicoe. Nothing for us to worry about. A couple of volleys will deal with every fist in China!”
“We are told in Hong Kong that they number more than a million.”
“Then take a Maxim Gun as well as the rifles! They are only Chinks!”
Jellicoe thought it wiser to lead them into the admiral’s cabin; there was no gain to further discussion of Chinese affairs.
The admiral was at his most affable.
“Good morning, Lord Eskdale! I trust I see you well, recovered from your wound?”
“It was no more than a minor laceration, sir, and has healed clean and quick. It looked far worse than it was.”
“So you would say, of course, Eskdale. Your lady wife is well, I trust?”
“Flourishing, sir, and a delight to me.”
“As it should be. Nothing more from London on that damned business with your brother. That scandal has been laid to rest. I understand the Earl, your father, is none too robust and has retired from public view. Not easy for him, poor chap!”
“No, sir. No man could expect to weather such a storm easily. He is not a young gentleman, of course, and perhaps is of another age in his mind.”
“Quite right, too. Now then, the word has come from Their Lordships – you are commended for the Otvajni business. The Tsar himself has expressed his gratitude to the Royal Navy, which is very pleasing. You have heard of the punishment doled out to the mutineers? Bloody savages!”
Magnus was not certain if the last comment was aimed at the mutineers or all Russians in general.
“Be that as it may, Their Lordships are pleased with you both. Captain Erskine, you did very well in ensuring that the Russians did what they should. Lord Eskdale, your actions were in the best traditions of the Royal Navy. A message has been sent to Lord Ping offering our formal gratitude for his son’s quick and decisive action. It has been implied that he may call upon our gratitude and we have sent additional rounds for his five inchers and for the Maxims that came his way last year.”
Magnus was pleased to hear that, believing that young Mr Ping had done much that was to his benefit. Captain Erskine could not approve but comforted himself that one could hardly expect Chinks to make sensible use of great guns or of Maxims.
“Now then, gentlemen, there are to be tangible rewards for you as well. For you, Captain Erskine, there is a position in Australia. The Australians are aware that they have a huge coastline and wish to expand their naval resources, both ports and ships; a senior officer is to be sent to them to guide them in this desirable policy. Success will quickly lead to an Admiral’s hat, sir – it is a position that will bring you very much to the attention of government in London. You will be able to style yourself Commodore, I believe.”
Captain Erskine concealed his dismay; Australia was not quite renowned for its fleshpots. He made his thanks and pledged himself to serve the Empire well.
“Very good, sir. Lord Eskdale, you are to join the staff at the Legation in Peking, acting as naval attaché, as it were. Captain Hawkins, of the Intelligence Branch, will have much to say to you. Obviously, the post is accompanied. It is senior for a Commander and must rapidly be followed by promotion, I must imagine.”
Magnus made his thanks, was pleased at the prospect of a posting to Peking. He would be at the heart of affairs in Peking, in daily contact with all of the other nationalities showing a presence in China. Ellen would have the opportunity to mix with French, Austrian, German and Russian aristocrats. Not something she might enjoy too much at first, but she would soon find her feet and gain much valuable experience. She would meet with Americans as well, which would also be a necessity.
“What a stroke of good fortune, sir! I could not think of a place I would rather be. My lady will no doubt be delighted. When do I take up the post, sir?”
“Captain Hawkins will be here in two days and will wish to talk with you for a day at least. Let us say that you would wish to travel towards the end of next week. One of the small ships to the Taku Forts and then use the railway to Peking itself. There will be quarters for you at the Legation. There was thought of sending you to Simonstown, the naval base at the Cape of Good Hope, but you will be far better off in Peking than getting involved in this nonsense in South Africa – damned bad business that is turning into.”
“Not a war, surely, sir?”
Magnus was aware that relations with the South African Dutch – the Boers – had become more than ordinarily strained since the discovery by the British of gold on the Witwatersrand, which was on Boer territory.
“Not yet, but the Boers are arming, which they say is solely for defence against the black tribes to their north and in Zululand. But, and this is important, they are being encouraged in their intransigence by the Kaiser, who is supplying arms on the cheap. They will not treat the Uitlanders, which is what they call the gold miners, honestly – they tax their gold but will not give them the franchise. The Jameson raid of nearly three years ago gives them the excuse to accuse the Imperial Government of dishonesty and allows their backers in Germany to suggest that they must defend themselves ag
ainst aggression from the south.”
“I was in London at the time of the Jameson Raid, sir. It was known – talked about in Mayfair weeks in advance. I much fear that the Boers are right when they suggest dishonest dealing at Cape Town.”
Admiral Seymour was not best pleased to be corrected.
“Be that as it may, Eskdale. The Boers have bought batteries of Krupp guns and thousands of Mauser rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition – they are readying themselves for war with a European army.”
Captain Erskine was horrified.
“But, sir, how did they get hold of their munitions? They have no port, as I remember. Durban is closest, but unsuitable for large ships. Surely they did not bring their cargoes through Cape Town?”
“No. There is a railway now, from Pretoria and leading to Delagoa Bay, in Portuguese Mozambique. They bring all of their goods through that line now. We know of the rifles and field guns and must wonder whether they have Maxim Guns as well. The Portuguese are said to be our oldest allies, but they are behaving poorly in this instance.”
Magnus could not see that the Portuguese could be blamed for allowing the free passage of goods through their port. The British, after all, were the world’s greatest champions of Free Trade. He felt it wiser not to make that comment.
“Well, sir, it cannot be too great a conflict when it comes. The Boers are few in number and poor farmers for the most part. Their army cannot be large and will not last long.”
That was obviously true, all four men felt.
“Captain Howard was to take over as Senior Naval Officer Shanghai but there has had to be a last-minute change, I have just discovered. Cable from the Admiralty, overriding me. The new man will arrive tomorrow, Captain Erskine. You must take a month or so of leave, of course, before reporting at Sydney. Insufficient time to return to London, unfortunately, but you are at liberty to take a few weeks in Singapore, for example, if you wish to shake China’s dust off your heels. Warrants for your travel by any route you choose to Sydney will be to hand tomorrow. Will you require long to hand over?”
“No, sir. Simple enough, I think. A morning should suffice. Three or four days to pack up my quarters and send my few possessions aboard ship for Sydney, then I think I shall accept your suggestion – a couple of weeks in Raffles Hotel before taking passage south.”
“Very wise, Captain Erskine. A break from China will do you no end of good. It can be very hard for us Englishmen here, sir.”
The pair stood to leave the cabin.
“Would you delay just a minute, Lord Eskdale?”
Magnus sat silently while Captain Jellicoe escorted Erskine to the side in necessary courtesy. When Jellicoe returned Admiral Seymour spoke again.
“Now then, Eskdale. It must be obvious to you that your main function in Peking will be to gather information. Your title means that you will be welcome at dinners and functions in all the legations. You should accept every invitation you are given, if you will be so good. Your lady wife as well, of course. Listen to every word, sir. Especially later in the evening when tongues are oiled by the brandy!”
Magnus smiled his appreciation.
“We are concerned about Tsingtao, as you will appreciate. You have seen the place and will know that it could become a very powerful base. The Admiralty is also worried that Russia has ambitions beyond Port Arthur. As for the Japanese, well, we do not know what they have in mind, except that we much suspect they wish to conquer the whole of China one day. Impossible, I think, but one never knows what might not happen. It’s a funny old world, Eskdale!”
It would have to be remarkably humorous for a nation as small as Japan to conquer the great mass of China, Magnus thought. It was not his place to argue, however.
“What of the Americans, sir?”
“Damned good question! We don’t know, but they are growing in naval power in the Pacific. I think they have enough on their plate dealing with the Philippines for the while, but after that, I don’t know. I cannot see them as our enemy – but that does not have to mean that they are allies. Listen to all they have to say, that’s the best course.”
“Are they the conquerors of the Philippines, sir? Are the islands now an American colony?”
“Good question, Eskdale! Yes, and no. The Americans need a Pacific naval base closer than Hawaii. With Tsingtao in German hands, they had nothing on the China coast. They were welcome in Hong Kong, of course, just as long as their policies in China suited our needs. They now have Manila, and wherever else they choose, in the Philippines, which suits them very well being close to Japan and China both, as well as none too far from the rest of East Asia. Suits us as well – you know that Germany came close to war with the States when they took Manila? The Kaiser was very much on the side of the Spanish monarchy against the republican Americans. Austria-Hungary would have been pressing him in the background, no doubt, the Hapsburgs having strong ties to Spain. The effect is to push the Americans towards the French and British against Germany in future relations – which is not a bad thing for us. Suffice it to say that it is less than likely that you will find the Americans and the Germans sharing a dinner table in Peking.”
Magnus tried to make sense of that statement.
“A base, but not a colony, sir?”
“More or less, yes. The Americans don’t like to have colonies, you know, so they are to ‘free’ Cuba from the Spanish and do the same for the Philippines, provided they produce a suitably obedient government of their own. They won’t, from all we hear, and the Americans are in process of being sucked into another war to sustain their puppet government against revolution. It will keep them busy for the while, and lessen, significantly, the forces they have available to interfere in China. Hawkins will keep an eye on that business as well as what’s going on in China.”
“Good. I am not certain I understand all of the ramifications of the Philippines question, sir.”
“No more do I, my boy! Nor do the Americans! Best thing they could do is to carve the Philippines up – each island its own country – and keep the bits they need for their navy and let the rest, in their own elegant phrase, ‘go to Hell in a hand basket’. They won’t, however, because they have no policy – they have stumbled into the problem and haven’t thought their way out. They won’t, either, because they are fighting a war, or will be, and will take losses of their men which they will wish to avenge with a victory that is impossible to attain. Very foolish. Very convenient for us.”
“Quite, sir. Are there any other considerations I should bear in mind?”
“Well, yes, Eskdale. You must remember that an attaché is not a spy. A spymaster, certainly, but no more than that. You must not search out information yourself – that is most important. If you make visits inland, which you may, then you will keep to a published itinerary and will talk to all of the right people, and none of the wrong. All secret information that comes your way will be collected by separate agents and passed across to a junior clerk who will then place it in your hands. You are not to speak to your informants or ever be seen in their company. Very important that you play the game properly, Eskdale. The money you pay out must never go directly from your hands to theirs.”
That seemed sensible but meant that in effect he would have to close his eyes to much that he saw and might wish to ask about. He must pretend to see nothing and to know nothing – and must assume that every other member of Legation staff, of all nationalities, was doing the same.
“That does mean that we are all tarred with the same brush, sir… Not a word to pass my lips that I have not thought about twice first.”
Captain Jellicoe smiled his approval.
“Just so, Eskdale. Was I you, my lord, I would bend my talents towards the world of Intelligence, rather than attempt to make a career in the sea-going Navy. To be blunt, my lord, you are too open-minded, too inquisitive about the world to become the captain of an armoured cruiser or battleship. The captains of our big ships must subordinate thems
elves to the fleet or squadron they sail in – there is no room for the individual in a battle squadron. I do not believe that you have that particular quality in your character, my lord. That is not, I might add, necessarily a criticism.”
“As you say, sir, that is to be blunt. Every naval officer’s desire must be to become captain of one of the great ships – and part of me says that I wish to do so. It would be something to stand on the bridge of a new first-class battleship, master of a thousand men and four twelve inch guns and fifteen thousand tons of ship to steam at twenty knots… It would also be so very constricting, would it not, sir? Camperdown tells the tale – a captain who obeyed the orders that sank his own flagship, knowing in his heart, as he must have, that those orders were at best mistaken. Was he right? The Admiralty said he was not wrong. As you say, sir, I do not think I am the sort to be part of that. Should I expect ever to go to sea again, sir?”
Admiral Seymour took over, leaving Magnus no doubt that Jellicoe’s comments had been planned between them.
“That does not lie in my hands, Eskdale. I shall send my reports on your fitness to the Admiralty – as happens with every officer. I shall, of course, make the strongest recommendation of your fitness for promotion – you have distinguished yourself twice on the Station, and few will claim that. I shall also comment on your fitness to command, and that must include my perceptions of your willingness and ability to accept unpalatable orders, and of your penchant for interpreting your orders as seems sensible to you. I will certainly suggest that you display talents out of the ordinary run of officers, and that you should be considered for service where your uncommon abilities might be better employed. That might even suppose that you could be used to greater effect in the Foreign Office than in the Royal Navy. I suspect you might serve our country better other than as a naval officer, Eskdale. There are literally thousands of competent officers who can sail our ships, and desire nothing more of life than that they should. I am not convinced that you are one of those thousands.”
Chinese Whispers Page 2
