Henderson's recollection that this view was also
expressed at the Washington Conference in 1921 by
Lord (then Mr.) Balfour on behalf of His Majesty's
Government when he explained the essenti al
distinction to be drawn between the lease of
Wei haiwei, and the lease of the New Territories.
Under the provisions of the Kowloon Extension
Agreement the lease of the New Territories does
not expire until 1997. While therefore the question
of His Majesty's Government honouring their bond
in this matter will not arise for 67 years it is
in Lord Passfield's opinion a matter of doubtful
expediency to allow the idea to be entertained that the policy of His Majesty's Government favours
the early return of this defenseive frontier
territory to China or that a sacrifice must be
deannded of the Colony on the present occasion of
nego ti ati ng a Customa Agreement if China is to be expected to honour her bond in accordance with the
Kowloon Extension Agreement.
5. If the Nationalist Government prove to
be unwilling to accept an Agreement on the lines
now
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