2.
264
wo anticipated they wɛuld, offered instead a similar right to
vasnels flying the Chinese flag.
3.
I am not in a position to give me opinion se to
the value of this new Chinese offer to British shipping and
to Hong Kong interests generally, but I should imagine that
the privilege of running their ships under the Chinese flag
direct from Hong Kong to unapened plasas on the inlated
ia
waters of Xuangtung is unlikely to be of such interest to
genuine British shipping as long as we retain our existing
inland water navigation privilego#.
abandoned
-
If and when these are
and we have contemplated their surrender if we
can thereby obtain sanfirmation of our rights to engage
in the coast and river (inter-Treaty fert) trade - the
matter may assume a different aspects though even then Z
am afraid that Mr. Hase greatly under-rates the dangers
and difficulties of running British vessels under the Chinese
flag on the inland wateremys of Chimu.
There is the further consideration whether in view
of the pending negotiation of a new Commercial Treaty with
China the moment is not imeppertuna for a discussion and more
se for an agreement, betwem Hong K_ng and the Chinese Govern
Bent