COPY.
(2/22/1935)
Copy to: F.0.,
12
BRITISH EMBASSY,
Peking.
3rd September, 1935.
32
My dear Phillips,
Your despatch No. 117 of August 13th and your
semi-official letter of the same date to the Ambassador
regarding the protection of Indian interests.
The treatment which Hongkong metes out to Indian
British subjects is a matter lying between the Government
of India and the Government of Hongkong, and if a British
subject from India has a grievance against the Government
of Hongkong his remedy is to move the Government of India
to protect him and to make representations on his behalf
to Hongkong.
His Majesty's Diplomatic or Consular officers
cannot act officially on behalf of British subjects in
the same way vis-a-vis another part of the mpire ás
they can vis-a-vis a foreign Government, and they would
expose themselves to a rebuff if they attempted to do so.
But there would seem no objection to your writing privately
to Sir W. Southorn on the subject of Benares Khan.
Your assumption (paragraph 3 of your letter)
regarding the despatch of special reports is correct.
We are copying this correspondence to the Foreign
office and the covering letter to orde will show you that
we are not unsympathetic with your point of view even though
the foregoing may seem to you to be not very helpful.
H. Phillips, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E.
His Majesty's Consul-General,
Canton.
(Signed) R.G. Howe.