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China would not admit Portugal's title to half the
territory claimed.
to agree to this.
Portugal proposed the reference
of the dispute to the Hague, but China flatly refused
Since that date, from time to time,
unpleasant incidents have occurred between local
Chinese authorities and the Government of Macao
directly due to the uncertainty as to what was Chinese
and what Portuguese territory.
The British Government have been interested
not only because of our position in Hong Kong but
also because Portugal has formed the inconvenient habit
of appealing to us for assistance under the Guarantee
Clauses of our old Treaties with her for our inter-
vention against Chinese menaces. The obligations in
question are contained in certain clauses of a number of
treaties between 1373 and 1904. In a Foreign Office
note of 1922 it is stated: "It seemed clear that H.M.
Government is under general obligation to defend
Portuguese territory and colonies against all enemies
of Portugal. Nevertheless, "while the treaties are
ft
admitted to be still in force H.M.Government reserves
to themselves the right of judging the circumstances
in which help may be given or withheld."
"The
present situation would, therefore, seem to be that
can
H.M.Gov.consent or decline to assist Portugal in any
n
particular case of appeal under the Treaties of Friendship
and Commerce, judging each case on its merits. The The present position is that the Portuguese Colony may be said
for practical purposes to consist of the city and peninsu-
la of Macao itself and the two islands immediately to
the south of it, Taipa Island and Colowan Island. The
area