140
1
(5)
Delegation would have visited both Hongkong and Canton, had
not Lord Willingdon replied that the proposal was now too
late.
Para. 4 Sir C. Clemonti's rear that positions on the
Board of Trustees may be held by British non-resident in
China is without foundation. The whole tenor of recommenda -
tions, both of the Committee and of the Delegation, shows that the object was to obtain as capable and representative a body of Trustees as possible in China itself.
Pera. 5. The criticism regarding the 'observers'
seems to be quite unfounded. First, the recommendations say that they may', not that they 'must' be appointed.
Secondly, there is no roason why their presence should create
friction. For instance, the Chino-Japanese negotiations for
the return of Shantung were carried on quite happily in the presence or 'observers' both foreign aid Chineso.
Para. 7. The Delegation's recommendations regarding
the variation in the percentages are modified and limited by
the Buxton Committee (pp. 14, 15, 17); the recommendations
of the Dolegation regarding railway construction were consid- erably modified by the Advisory Committee, who realisedthe
and added various necessary safeguar great practical difficulties of carrying out the scheme/(pp
16, 25). They considered that they could not accept the
proposal that funds should at once be set aside for the Canton
loopline.
Paras
This and subsequent page references are to the Report of the Advisory Committee, etc. published as a Blue Book, Cmd, Paper 2766.