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350
Mr Paskin.
that the Governor of Hong Kong has to deal with a difficult
and dangerous situation and needs all the support and backing
of public opinion at home that can be given him. We do not
raise any question as regards the flogging as a means of
dealing with the local situation in Hong Kong. "e are of
opinion, however, that it is desirable that the attention of
the Governor should be called to the international aspects of
the question referred to in Dr Balme's letter. The viewa
expressed in Dr Balme's letter are shared, we have reason to
believe, by a good many other people who have considerable
knowledge of the state of opinion both in China and in the
United States.
If His Majesty's Government should consider it
advisable to draw the attention of the Governor of Hong Kong
to the possible international effects of recourse to flogging
as a means of punishment, it seems to us desirable that this
should be done on general grounds of public policy, rather
than because of representations made by missionary bodies.
While the missionary societies have a vital interest in
conditions in China, since the safety of hundreds of
missionaries is involved, and are interested also in 'nglo-
American/