[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.]
Decypher.
No. 444.
From CHINA,
Sir M. Lampson (Peking).
13th May, 1929.
Do
5.50 p.m., 14th May, 1929.
R.
2.30 p.m., 14th May, 1929.
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Immediate.
Hongkong telegram No. 1 of May 10th to Colonial
Office.
While appreciating Governor's concern that interests of Hongkong merchants should be fully con- sidered before draft commercial treaty is presented to Nanking government and while as anxious as he that nothing should impair that co-operation which I can claim has always animated our dealings when matters of mutual interest arise, I fear that it will be impossible not to say impolitic, at the present juncture,for me to alter existing plans to meet his wishes and visit Hongkong.
When I received instructions in your despatch No. 295, I naturally assumed that special interests of all the other departments had been fully safe- guarded including Colonial Office. My whole object in consistently urging upon His Majesty's Government elaboration of draft treaty was that I might be in a position to present it to Nanking government whon the psychological moment, of which I venture to believe I being on the spot am best able to judge, should arise. Though it is dangerous to prophesy in such matters, it is my instinct that moment may
coincide
...
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