32/3510/10)
450
Paraphrase of telegram No.313 to 81r B.Alston (Peking)
Dated October 6th. 1921.
Repeated to Lisbon 82.
I have seen the Portuguese Minister and told him of the contents of Canton telegram No.5 regarding the position at Macao. I further told him that His Majesty's Consul General considers that Portuguese Government ought in their own interests to allow a neutral party to propose
a modus vivendi. The proposal to refer the boundary
problem to the League of Nations is in accord with a like
proposal which has already been made to the Portuguese Minister. But I have pointed out quite frankly that Portuguese Government must assume the responsibility for
any decisions they may arrive at, although of course His Majesty's Goverment would always be ready, when asked,
to assist the Portuguese Government with advice. It
appears from Canton telegram No.7 that the matter is
now somewhat nearer a settiment, but His Majesty's Consul General does not say how the Chinese via the proposal
made in Canton telegram So.ü. Provided the Chinese are
willing to agree I do not ses way I should not sanction
it, but I am of opinion that the proposal ought not to be
persevered with if the Chinese should show themselves
reluctant to socept ma arbitrators the nationals of an
ally of Portugal. Possibly it would be preferable to
suggest that the United States Consul should not as
arbitrator.
Provided you see no objection you may issue
instructions to Mr.Jamieson on the line indicated above.