Although the United Kingdom's colonies are spread across the globe, communication between the British Government and the colonies is not that swift and effective.
Information around the Philippines needs to be first telegraphed to the Indian Colonial Government, and then relayed by the Indian Colonial Government to the British Government.
This delay would lengthen the time, which is the reason the Marquis of Rogers mentioned playing a time interval. From the time the message is reported until the British Government reacts and issues orders, there and back, it takes at least several days.
Spain completely has the hope to occupy the entire Sulu Sultanate before the British Government can issue orders. As long as the goal is achieved, the British Government can only grudgingly accept it.
After all, at this time the British Government's main focus is not on Kalimantan; even if Spain can occupy some land, there are also colonies of the Netherlands on Borneo.
