I. Fo.
(Draws attentra
22/3/28 2
Draws attention to two mustames
alleged discriminating
of
what
reply chansebe caur
us Cemb
Gus
2.
We have no information here to
confirm these facts. There is nothing in the
Trade Loan papers about the exact method of
loans
allocating, am therefore not sending them on.
The United States have little right
to protest against discrimination against foreign
interests. They are probably more addicted to
high protection than any other country on Earth.
Possibly they object because Hong Kong are not
playing the game according to established rule,
and are using somewhat unorthodox methods of
discrimination. It may be, of course, that Hong
Kong really believe that non-British motors need
inspection more frequently than British motors,
and that American insurance companies are not
sufficiently reliable; but it is most likely
following
that they are filling the usual policy of further ing
British interests. The benefit of this goes,
not to Hong Kong, but to the interests concerned,
that is, in this case, the motor and insurance
trades. It is really for them to say whether
these benefits are sufficient to counter-balance
the possible retaliatory measures by the United
States.
? Reply that the Secretary of State is
unable to trace any information, but is sending
a copy of the letter to the Governor of Hong Kong
for verification of the facts and for his
observations