Kat
indication emeticasquarkanɗ His Majesty's
an prpand
Government to recognise the Canton Government
as independent.
This risk will however
be lessened if as we presume the Consul-
General acts as a member and not as Head
of the delegation. Secondly if the scope
of the negotiations be enlarged the number and
categories of the claim capable of being
put forward on eithe side in automatically
increased. As we see it the position as
to these claims is as follows. (1) Against
Canton claims for strike pay and compensation
for non-reinstatement can be advanced Hongkong
claims for losses due to the boycott (2)
against Canton claims for Shame shooting can
be advanced British claims for suffering and
1
31
15 Poking
claim from Canton see F.O. telegram/No.
138.
His Majesty's Government while
attaching importance to these claims is
prepared to leave the presentation of
them at any time during the forthcoming
negotiations entirely to discretion of
delegation whose hands they would not
wish to tie beforehand. But it would
of course be advantageous if the nature
and extent of these claims could be
brought to the notice of the Canton
Government at some stage of the negotiations
without imparing the prospects of settlement
and if possible before the prigfiple of
making a loan to Canton Government is
losses inflicted on Shame residents
(3)
But over and above these claims H.M.G.
possess
claims against Canton Government for damage to
property and persons of British subjects in
ave Kwangtung which not counterbalanced by any
!
claim
approved.
AMERY.