En Clair
95
POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION
FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Sir. R. stevenson.
No. 93
27th January, 1948.
Repeated to Hong Kong
Canton.
ふ
IMPORTANT
D. 9.28 a.m. 27th January, 1948.
R.10.27 a.m. 27th January, 1948.
LIGHT
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 93 of
January 27th repeated to Hong Kong and Canton. My telegram No. 475; Canton Outrage.
Following is translation of note dated January 26th received from Minister for Foreign Affairs in reply to my note of January 20th.
[Begins].
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's note number 26 of January 20th 1948 concerning burning down of British Consulate General, Canton and other premises.
Chinese, Government consider this lawless act of ruffianly elements at Canton a very unfortunate incident concerning which this Ministry have already expressed thier regrets to the British Government. Chinese Government have always held in high osteom close and friendly relationship between the Governments and peoples of our two countries and have exerted their best efforts to prevent occurence of any incidents which
At the time of mught adversely affect this relationship.
occurrence of incident in question the peace preservation authorities at Canton endeavoured to suppress lawless acts of ruffianly elements and at the same time tock steps to ensure safety of staff of British Consulate General and other British nationals. Chinese Government are now still urgently investigating details of incident and are strictly interrogating supects who were arrested on the spot. When detailed circumstances have been ascertained and responsibility for incident fixed the Chinese Government will of course seek a reasonable settlement in accordance with the principles of international law.
FEE
[Ends].
Page 80Page 81