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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be
returned to the Foreign Office If not required for official use.]
459
CHINA.
Decode,
Acting Pritish Consul-General (Canton).
11th November, 1926.
D.
10.15 a.m. 12th November, 1926.
R.
No. 55.
9.30 a.m. 12th November, 1926.
(Via Hongkong.)
Addressed to Peking No. 103 November 11th.
Your telegram to Foreign Office No. 416.
Minister for Foreign Affairs has refused to accept
letter from sentor Consul conveying protest against
taxes.
His reply returning the letter contains following
statement.
Begins.
My government does not recognise the existence of
"senior Minister of interested powers represented at
Peking" (who lacks juridical sanction), nor are status
and relations of the same powers vis-à-vis my govern--
ment regulated on a basis which can properly entitle
them to raise question of a "direct violation of
treaties".
I have the honour to add that my government is
ready to discuss this and other questions as and when
all or any of the powers represented at Peking realize
that national power and authority has long ceased to
be exercised in Peking and that revolutionary and
constructive forces of nationalist China have now
transferred this national power and authority to my
government. Ends.
Correspondence has been published in Canton
Gazette.
Repeated to Foreign Office lo. 55.