(2).
44
40-
2
powers signatory to Washington treaties.
Moreover effect of such a note would be much diminished if Sir James Jamieson's recall were to follow
immediately after its presentation and, on supposition
that hope is still entertained that a more moderate
element may emerge at Canton with whom it may be possible to reach settlement by negotiation, the
presentation of such a note would seriously embarrass the new Acting Consul General and if it was left to him
to address it to local government would surely prove
very inauspicious beginning for his mission.
All things considered therefore, I would venture
to recommend that question of presentation of note
should be left over until Mr. Brenan reaches Canton
and is able to judge how situation is developing. He
should, I think, be instructed to keep the note of
proposal about offering a loan for railway construction
and visit of the Willingdon committee in reserve to
be used if and when expedient.
In the meantime events are moving fast in
northern China with collapse of Kuo Min Chun forces
and growth of a strong anti-Bolshevik feeling which
appears to be having a repercussion in Centon, It
seems therefore all the more desirable that we should
proceed very cautiously as our policy towards the
Cantonese government in question of demand for com--
pensation, railway loans, etc., must be largely
governed by future relations between that goverment
end new Central government which will be established
in Peking as a result of the present hostilities,
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 129, repeated
to Hong Kong.