15.
110
inclined to favour this suggestion in regard to signa...
ture, but would defer forming a definite opinion on the
point till in possession of the text of the proposed
agreement, which might involve, by implication, questions
of general importanUe. The letter stated that the For-
eign office were in any case not able to approve the
proposal, originally put forward by sir C. Clementi,
that the agreement should be drawn as between the Govern-
ments of China and of Hongkong, and suggested that the
Governor se instructed to refer the text of the agreement
to the Colonial Office, at the same time communicating a
copy to me, so that such alterations of a formal charac-
ter as might be required would be prepared in the Foreign
uffice and instructions issued to me, if this seemed the
best course, to negotiate and conclude the agreement
with the ühinese Government in the ordinary manner.
10.
The Governor telegraphed to me on Üctober
13th that he agreed to the draft of September 26th as
amended by kr. kaze, subject to certain minor amendment a
He held strongly that the question of precedence should
forn/
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