Although war was clearly imminent, France and China remained technically at peace, and Lespès was forbidden to attack the Beiyang Fleet pending the outcome of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Meskipun perang jelas akan segera terjadi, Prancis dan Tiongkok secara teknis tetap damai, dan Lespès dilarang menyerang Armada Beiyang sambil menunggu hasil upaya diplomatik untuk menyelesaikan krisis.