C. O.
A
Mr.
Rogers
Howard 27/
53942/38 Hong Kong.
Angel 12
28/38.
Hi Duncan 29/8/38
Mr. Cowell
Sir H. Moore.
Sir G. Tomlinson.
Sir C. Bottomley.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
29
DRAFT. 15
な
SIR GEOFFRY NORTHCOTE, K.C.M.G.
C
A.2d 910
7 Subject 10 7.0
Concurrence
for Mr. Cowell's signature.
×
see (9) for
fo.concurrere.
Downing Street,
85epr.
August, 1938.
Dear North core
In considering your
(1)
telegram No. 235 of the 17th August
about the proposed broadcast by the
widow of Sun Yat Sen, the Foreign
Office drew attention to the fact
that you used the words "such
action would not be consistent with
neutrality".
It has in fact been
decided that in view of the special
FURTHER ACTION.
Comy to be registered 12:30 μM 58 General
position of Hong Kong, the Colonial
1
Government should, as far as
possible, base its actions
approximately on what would be
of t
required if there were in fact a
legal state of war between China
and
(*801-150) Wt. 13952-47 10,000 6/37 T.S. 695 (*1632-150) Wt. 32179-71 20,000 12/37 T.S. 695
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9
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and Japan, and I recently sent you, in
my letter of the 4th August, copies of
semi-official correspondence with the
Foreign Office which gave an appreciation
of the policy of H.M.G. towards the present
(98 on 72320/1/38
General)
hostilities.
2.
At the same time it is felt to be
#
#
undesirable that the neutral position of
Hong Kong should be expressly declared and we
have tried as far as possible to avoid using
the word "neutrality",
خص
off ccrally
The Foreign Office have suggested a formula
which would avoid the use of the word and serve
its purpose satisfactorily, namely "actions which would
tend to impair the good relations between friendly
states". As I said in my previous letter it is
impossible for any precise instruction to be
formulated, but I hope that you will find this
note useful.
Yours sincerely,
signed A. M. DOWELL
ge 9
ge 9
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Copy to ro
και SECRET
AIR MAIL
Copy to British Ambassador,
Shanghai. No.28.
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
10
e 10
19th August, 1938.
I have the honour to refer to my telegram
No.235 of 17th August, 1938, and to forward the
enclosed copy of the draft of the speech furnished by Madame Sun Yat-sen which it was proposed to
broadcast to America.
I have the honour to be,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
&c., &c., &C.
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
1. Ges. Withert
Governor.
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