43
48. The Japanese Minister at once remarked that
his Government would have to give the British memoran-
dum prolonged consideration and there was a concensus
of opinion among Mr. O'Malley's colleagues that, the
previous proposals about Washignton surtaxes having now
become involved in wider issues, it would be impossible
for the present to make any progress towards granting
them. (Peking telegram to Foreign Office No.531 of the
18th December).
49. The Hong Kong Government was most heartily
in favour of an attempt being made to unite the Powers
in support of a common policy in China; but we pointed
out that, if the Powers did not negotiate as to treaty
revision until the Chinese themselves had constituted
a Government to pursue a constructive policy in har- mony with the spirit of the Tashington Conference (see
paragraph 6 of British memorandum), events in Chine would for an indefinite period pursue their present destructive course. If, however, it was the policy
of the Powers to endeavour to maintain harmonious
relations with China without waiting for or insisting
on the prior establishment of a strong Central Govern-
ment" (see paragraph 7 of British memorandum), then in
view of the admitted disintegration of China, recog-
nition of regional authorities should be expedited for
the sake of this Colony and of British interests in China generally. as regards the proposal to grant the Washington surtaxes unconditionally at once, we felt
very strongly:-
(a) that this would be a direct subvention of civil
war
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