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question of the New Territories, it seems clear that there is
no immediate prospect of progress as to which see my telegram
of 18th February whi ch still holds good.
You should, I suggest, discuss the whole question with
Sir M.Lampson on your visit to Peking, but you should regard it
as axiomatic that while the present confused conditions obtain
there can be no question of further recognition. Ends.
Your proposals for recognition would not in any case
have been practicable as explained in above but the threatened
renewal of the boycott at Canton well illustrates my point
regarding the instability of conditions in Kwangtung and the
circumspection with which any such proposals must be approached.
You should remember that in accordance with diplomatic
procedure recognition once granted cannot subsequently be with-
drawn while the recognised Government remains of the same
type. Even if other conditions were fulfilled it could not be
expected that His Majesty's Government would run the risk of
extending recognition to the Canton Government with the
prospect that circumstances might at any time arise necessitating
the delivery of an ultimatum followed by coercive measures.