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Paraphrase Telegram from the Secretary of State
for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
Sent 2.0 p.m., 10th February, 1927.
Personal. Situation at Hong Kong.
Your telegram
of 2nd February. I share your anxiety and the
extreme difficulty of your position is fully realised
and sympathised with. The general lines of British
policy in China have been publicly declared and are
known to you and all that it is possible for me to add
at present is that I will not overlook the importance
which you attach to firmness. The question of warlike
operations does not of course arise at present.
The
steps you have been taking locally are welcome to me
and you will have my support in doing whatever is neces-
sary for the maintenance of order within the Colony.
If you think I could usefully send you any message for
publication do not hesitate to suggest its terms.
The present moment, however, is not particularly oppor-
tune for this so far as I am able to judge.
AMERY.