[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
CHINA,
(Peking).
26
Decypher.
Mr. Lampson.
January 21st, 1927.
D.
2.10 p.m.
R. 11.00 i.m.
January 21st, 1927.
January 21st, 1927.
No. 145.
Hongkong telegram to Secretary of State for
Colonies of January 19th.
I fear that these proposals however desirable from the Hongkong point of view are entirely out of
the present picture.
Any cession to Great Britain of Chinese territory
is to-day out of the question. Whole trend of Chinese thought and national feeling is in exactly contrary direction i.e. recovery of territory ceded in the past. I fear therefore suggestion one and two in Governor's telegram can be ruled out as impractic- able right away and I should feel obliged on grounds of general policy to oppose making any suggestion to them. They would merely intensify charges of Imperialism against us which I am doing my best to stifle as ungrounded.
Governor's third proposal does not arise for
the moment.
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 145.
Repeated to Hongkong.