SIR R.E. STUBES.
(Memorandum by the Far Eastern Department.)
217
There has always been a tendency on the part
of Governors of Hong Kong to attempt too much interference
in the affairs of China and our interests there. This
was especially the case in Sir F. Lugard's time. The
policy of the Eastern Department here as well as that of
the Foreign Office has been to discourage rather strictly
any such attempt. As a member of the Eastern Department
for 13 years, Sir R. Stubbe was well aware of and co-
operated in this policy.
At the same time it must be borne in mind that
Hong Kong may be regarded as really the financial and
commercial headquarters of the neighbouring province of
Kwangtung and vitally interested therefore in the
restoration of order and prosperity there. At present
especially Hong Kong is crowded with important and rich
refugees from S. China, and in the interests both British
and Chinege of the Hong Kong community the Governor would
be more or less than human if he did not put forward for
consideration by His Majesty's Government any proposals
that he may consider useful for improving the present
appalling position. The consideration of such proposals
may be a waste of time, but can have no substantial evil
results
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