86
appears to be based, not on commercial or technical,
but on purely political considerations. Nor is the
need for any change at the present time explained.
It, therefore, appears that the Chinese National
Government refuses to acccpt the position so often
repeated that the Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong
must be regarded simply as a commercial undertaking like that of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and must be staffed accordingly, and that Wanking has deliberately ignored the views of the long long Government on this subject.
I should be glad if you would infom the
Chinese Minister for Foreign ¡ffairs that tids
Government cannot recognize my new Du erintendent of the Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong until the
requisite formalities have been com lled with,
including the approval by this Government of the
proposed nominee. The anomaly of permitting e Chinese Telegraph Office to function in llong Tong under
a Superintendent appointed by the Chinese Government is
only possible if this post is kopt entirely clear from
politics, and is treated as a strictly commercial under
taking.
7: As I do not wish Lr. Kong Siu-löu to incur
undeserved odium over this matter, I should add that he
himself is quite willing, and even anxious, to retire i
favour of kr. Wu, and that he remains in office solely
on account of the decision of this Government.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
事
(sd)
C.CLEMENTI
Governor, &o.