Copy.
374/179/10).
{
19876/19
Paraphrase of telegram No.51 to Sir B. Alston,
Peking, February 1st.
235
clear the line,
Most Urgent.
Referring to telegram No.48 from you.
If possible you should not take the action you have
proposed,
Up to the present we have made no claim on customs surplu and as an awkward precedent would thereby be set up other Powers might, in circumstances not so justifiable as the
present, appeal to it.
Hong Kong Trade cannot yet be affected as only second and third points have been acted on yet, see telegram 34 from
you.
No objection was raised by Colonial Office when in 1919 similar action including first and fourth points was contemplated, se telegram 171 of March 20th 1919 from
Sir J. Jordan.