BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN.
NOTHING
TO
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Minutes.
190
treaty ports like Canton, we should not go out
of our way to prevent trade between Hong Kong
and free China.
The present despatch from the Governor
discloses that the real reason for the bill is
not so much to facilitate the work of the
Chinese Maritime Customs as to prevent em-
barrassment vis-à-vis the Japanese forces
when the latter seize a British ship (or
compel the Customs to seize a ship) which has
been officially cleared for a port prohibited
by treaty.
The answer, of course, is that as the
Japanese themselves are preventing adherence
to the treaty by closing the authorised ports,
they have no right to complain if our ships.
trade elsewhere. In fact they have no right
to interfere at all between the Chinese and
However, it is a case of "might
ourselves.
is right", and that sort of argument will not
help us in present circumstances.
Since we have to placate the Japanese to
some extent, and the smuggling activities of
these so-called British ships (which are
really Chinese) do us no good, we may as well
withdraw our objection to the proposed legis-
lation. I do not think that it will help
matters to consult the Chinese Government.
B/T.
?
So inform the Colonial Office and
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agree
December 28th, 1939.
with Sir J. Brenan
that
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