7
258
Government House,
gog
than England. But it indicates what they want us to think that they think, and it means that they will work with us so long as it pays them better than another course, or perhaps even as well. I should like to make it pay them because it would pay us.
What is standing in the way is our deference to the absurd caricature of Government which exists (at the present moment it doesn't even do that) in Peking. What I hope for is that we shall tell Peking politely that if they can't exercise authority in the provinces we shall, with all due respect and sympathy for their sovereign rights,
deal with the de facto Governments that can.
Hear C.C. Wu, one of the most attractive rouges in China, on t
the subject.
"You talk about not taking sides or interfering in our inter-
nal affairs. You are interfering so long as you recognize those
ridiculous people in Peking, whom nobody in China recognizes. It is
only so that the Diplomatic body may have somebody to address notes
and aide-memoires and procès verbaux to and for all the good they do
you might as well put them in a hole in the wall. It would be much
better simply to put them in the post. The result would be the same
and the Diplomatic Body could go and enjoy itself at Peitaho."
Yours sincerely,
Jestl
I have shown this letter to Fetcher, whose opinion as you
Know you
arees Sun, whom he
value nearly as highly
as my own. He tells me
He tells me that he with it all except that I am too hard on Sun.