4.
control except over main centres of population.
We are of opinion that the proposals of His Majesty's Government proceed too fast and do not
sufficiently recognize the fact that China is at
present so unsettled and has a standard of civiliza-
tion which differs so widely from ours that there is grave risk in allowing its various governing authorit- ies such power over British subjects as is involved
in the proposals of last January. We also consider
that the weakness of foreign Powers in allowing first
the Cantonese and then other Chinese regional
authorities to secure the Washington surtaxes illegally
and unconditionally after a prolonged anti-British
boycott of Hong Kong, followed by proposals for a far-
reaching, unilateral surrender of treaty privileges
immediately consequent on the violent seizure of the
British Concessions at Hankow and Kiukiang, has
undoubtedly encouraged Chinese extremists to further
outrages, such as those at Nanking, and that, if any attempt were now made to implement these proposals,
it would be a direct invitation to these extremists
to tear up treaties and repudiate obligations, with
the result that war would become inevitable.
Moreover, so long as we do not recognize any Government in any part of China, we cannot insist on
fulfilment of obligations in return for what we surrender.
Finally, we presume that there is no intention
that British subjects alone should be deprived of
privileges and treaty-rights, while the subjects of
other
35