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A.0.8/10 5. Trind & ir S.Wilson
S.H.W.8/10/26
Amery
L.S.A. 8.
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
Secret.
(Sent 7.55 p.m. 8th October 1926)
Canton Situation.
372
I have received your telegrams of the 8th October and should be glad to learn whether the following further objections to the proposed plan have been considered by you and your advisers.
(1) Complications which French concession presents. If evacuation became necessary we might have to make ourselves responsible for safety of French since we could hardly leave them there alone unless they desired it. If you have any indication what their attitude would be I should be glad to learn of it but I do not want you to consult French authorities at this stage. (2) In the event of Shameen garrison being evacuated it would be necessary also to evacuate whole population European and Chinese.
(3) Is it not likely that explosion of patriotic feeling would result from ultimation followed by coercive action. You anticipate that there would be little likelihood of Canton Government proceeding to extremities against Shameen or against us and that bn all probability Canton Government would secretly welcome drastic action. What concrete evidence have you to support this view.
(4) Is there any guarantee that in the event of evacuation becoming necessary and your anticipations being falsified it will be possible for us to return to Shameen at will?
(5) Am I to understand that in your considered opinion it is worth while to bring pressure to bear on Canton in the manner suggested, even at the risk of losing Shameen.
AMERY
1