I want to know the answer to the following question:
What was Thomas Taylor Meadows replying to?
All the background I'm provided with is that "Its author, an "official Chinese interpreter of 10 years' active service" and a member of the Oriental Club, Thomas Taylor Meadows, was replying to the suggestion by another interpreter that the British Empire was wasting its resources on a false threat from Russia against China.". Is that enough to answer the question?
Answer: yes