"A
3
prejudged, but will have to be decided in the
circumstances of the moment. It is possible
6
that demand may not arise for many years, at any
rate not in such force that it camot be put off.
On the other hand it is conceivable that if and when
it does arise our relations with China may be so
improved that we can explain our difficulty to the Chinese authorities and, may be, reach some agreement. I feel, therefore, that the best thing will be
to refuse to approve the Governor's proposal for
75 year leases and say that the Secretary of State
considers that the present practice should be
continued until there arises any strong demand
for longer leases, and that he considers that it
is undesirable to decide in advance whether and
how that demand can be met.
We must, of course, consult the Foreign
Office. As a matter of tactics I think there is
something to be said for simply sending a copy
of the despatch for their observations without
committing ourselves to any opinion, but on the
whole I think it would be best to write in
substance as in the immediately preced ing
paragraph.
I aque Ala Holu
J. Cand
3.4.29
with Mr Caine except that
Whink it might to
might be best tomoned to dons her the forst fleck
F.O. fu dom
Disappointing. Sis
1M4/4
C. Clementi has
jove back on his attitude at
The Conference, ats