108
204
The other point relates to the powers of the British delegates. In my note to the Governor of Hongkong, I stated that my Government was prepared to appoint three delegates with plenipotentiary powers, and I indicated the wish of my Govern- ment that your delegates might be vested with equal powers. I am to repeat this wish with the reservation that any settlement reached by the delegates shall be subject to the usual ratifica- tion by the respective Governments.
C 15073/26.
I am, &c.,
CH'EN YU-JEN,
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.
No. 23.
a
The Governor of Hongkong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Secret.
SIR,
(Received 2nd August, 1926.)
Government House, Hongkong, 29th June, 1926.
With reference to the fourth paragraph of my secret despatch of the 25th June,* I have the honour to enclose copy of a letter† dated the 25th June, addressed by Mr. Brenan to Mr. Eugene Ch'ên.
2. Mr. Brenan has further informed me in a telegram, dated the 26th June, that this reply to the Canton Government is apparently regarded as satisfactory, and that he has seen Mr. Ch'en, who hopes that the Cantonese and British delegates may be able to meet at Canton on the 2nd July, but cannot yet de- finitely fix the date. Mr. Ch'ên also said to Mr. Brenan that Mr. Ch'an Kung-pok, one of the three Cantonese delegates, will not be able to attend the conference, but that his place would be taken on the delegation by another high official."
14
I have, &c.,
SIR,
205
ENCLOSURE IN No. 23.
H.B.M. Consulate-General, Canton, 25th June, T926.
In reply to your letter of 21st June, I have the honour to inform you that the British delegation, which has been appointed to negotiate a settlement of the anti-British trouble arising in this Province, will primarily represent the Hongkong Government, but that I have been made a member of the dele- gation so that the negotiations may include the anti-British boy- cott throughout the Province, together with any other cognate questions which the Canton Government may wish to raise.
The Hongkong delegates will be sent with plenipotentiary powers as regards matters relating to the Colony, and I, in addition to my ordinary authority as Acting Consul-General, have been given by His Majesty's Government reasonable dis- cretion in consultation with the Hongkong delegates to negotiate an agreement.
Your reservation that any settlement reached by the dele- gates shall be subject to the usual ratification by the respective Governments is noted, and is accepted by the British authorities concerned.
I trust that the above information will clear tip the doubts expressed in your letter, and I may add that it is the sincere desire of His Majesty's Government and the Hongkong Government to reach a settlement with the Canton authorities that shall be mutually satisfactory.
I have submitted the terms of this reply to the Governor of Hongkong, who authorises me to state that it is sent to you at his request and with his full concurrence. I shall be glad, there- fore, if you will let me know when the negotiations can begin.
Mr. Ch'ên Yu-jen,
I have, &c.,
J. F. BRENAN,
Acting Consul-General,
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Canton.
C. CLEMENTI,
Governor, &c.
• No. 22.
+ Enclosure.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
19
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO