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chief delegates, 1.e. the diplomatic representatives
of the Powers concerned?
2.
In the event of the Conference being in
practice adjourned or suspended for any con-
siderable period, however, I agree with you that it
is not only desirable but essential that in order
to avoid a charge of breach of faith it should first
at least agree to the levy of the Washington silr-
taxes.
3. I should greatly prefer that the initiative
should if possible be left to oue of the other Powers.
It has occurred to me that the delegates of the other
Fowers are also seeking an opportunity to suspend the
Conference. In that case, perhaps the safest way out
of the deadlock would be for you to wait until the proposal to suspend the Conference is made by some
other delegation, preferably at a meeting of the
Conference, when you would agree to their proposals
but make a statenent to the following effect. You
would point out that good faith demands that the
Conference be not suspended without first liquidating
the promises made at Washington, and state that you
are therefore in favour of granting China the Washington surtaxes without attaching any conditions whatever: you would add that His Majesty's Government
are willing that China should enjoy tariff autonomy from the 1st January, 1929, and that you hope the delegates of the other Powers will see their way
to...