Copy.
33/6989 (M.1.8.)
164819)
J.
¡ 43085
REC
Ree. 29.017
262
The Director of Special Intelligence presents
his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, and with reference to Foreign Office Note No.158710/N.C. of the 17th August, 1917,
transmitting a copy of a letter from the Colonial
Office relative to the censorship of telegrams from Hong Kong to the United States of America, begs to acquaint him for the information of Mr. Secretary Balfour that he is strongly of opinion that the Government of the United States of America should not be invited to accede to Sir F.H. May's proposal.
It hardly needs to be pointed out that the Censor at Hong Kong has not the same facilities for obtaining information concerning residents in America as are at the disposal of the United States Censors, and vice verså; and it is for this reason that the principle is strictly maintained, of examining every telegram at the nearest available censorship point both to its office of origin and of destination.
The importance attributed to the principle in America is exemplified by the following extract from the United States Ambassador's letter dated August 16th (forwarded to the War Office under Foreign Office Note No.161483/N.C. of the 20th instant):-
"Mr. Lansing hopes however that, notwithstanding "this added censorship, His Majesty's Government will
"not