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which would satisfy their aspirations during the
period until, if ever, the Canton Government was able
properly to claim recognition as the Government of
China, it was impossible to find a formula which would
recognize regional authorities without implying the division of China: that the Kuo-min-tang was strongly
averse from any form of recognition which would imply
the division of China: and that we should have no
justification for attempting to force on the Chinese
a system of regional governments for which they had
not declared. His Majesty's Government, therefore, unhesitatingly adhered to their policy which, they were convinced, was within the limits imposed the only reasonable course to pursue.
51. I may here point out that Comrade Ch'ên had himself evolved and handed to Mr. Iampson on the 17th December at ilankow the following formula regarding recognition- "The British Government are prepared to recognize the Nationalist Government as a governing
authority entitled over the territory they now control,
or that they may further control, to negotiate for the
immediate alteration of the treaties concluded between China and Great Britain" (Mr. Lampson's telegrams from Shanghai to the Foreign Office, No. 26 and 27, both
dated the 21st December). Mr. Lampson suggested that this formula, which amounted to de facto regional recognition, might possibly contain the key to the problem (Nanking telegram to Foreign Office No.28 of the 23rd December).
52. On the 24th December at a meeting in Peking
of
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