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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :---
TTILHC.O. 882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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the purpose of a reply to the points raised, but because we might want to explain why no further answer was given, Mr. Ch'ên agreed.
Mr. Ch'ên then went through the Aide Memoire, which appeared to be roughly drawn up. He said that the Shakee incident was the origin of the boycott. He made two alternative proposals for a settlement. The first was that there should be an inter national judicial enquiry into the facts of the Shakee incident, If the which would determine the question of responsibility. British delegation were not willing to accept this proposal of an international enquiry he made the following alternative proposal. He said that the settlement of the boycott would involve a serious financial burden, which he suggested should be shared by us. Three things would be necessary. In the first place, the persons who had sustained the boycott for a year must have guarantees against a repetition of the events of 23rd June. For this purpose it would be necessary to regulate (a) the garrison of Shameen. and (b) the use of gunboats on the rivers. In the second place. the relatives of those who were killed at Shakee would have to be compensated. In the third place, the large amount of unemploy ment would make it necessary to raise large sums in order to allow the resumption of normal relations.
If the British delegation were not prepared to accept either alternative, i.e., an international enquiry or a share of the burden. but merely proposed a loan, for instance, for the development of Whampoa as a possible solution of the difficulties, then a serious situation would arise, which would necessitate the Chinese dele- gation taking counsel with the Nationalist Government.
Mr. Ch’ên: We are not adopting an attitude of intransigeance. An enquiry is necessary.
Mr. Brenan: Do you really think that an enquiry would be of value at this distance of time?
Mr. Ch'en: Yes, the evidence of Sir James Jamieson and of others would be available.
Mr. Brenan: But many of the witnesses are not available. The Chinese may be here, but not the foreigners.
Mr. Ch'ên: The Chinese delegation would agree to abide absolutely by the findings at the enquiry.
Mr. Brenan: I fear it would be impossible to reach a proper finding, and feel that it is a great pity that no enquiry was held at the time of the incident, and statements are less useful than oral evidence.
Mr. Ch'êu: The Judges, however, will make some finding, and we will abide by it.
Mr. Kemp: The difficulty will be to find the witnesses..
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Mr. Brenan: Do you suggest that the negotiations for the settlement of the boycott should remain in abeyance until the enquiry issues a finding?
Mr. Ch'ên: That is a point for consideration on which we must consult our Government.
Mr. Brenan: What is meant by consulting your Government? Does it involve an adjournment of the Conference for some considerable time?
Mr. Ch'ên: Hardly that, but I must consult my Government. Mr. Brenan: The Chinese delegation are supposed to have plenipotentiary powers.
Mr. Chên then again went through the Aide Memoire in detail, Mr. Soong remarking at its conclusion that it was rough, being the product of several minds working together.
The Mr. Ch'ên promised to supply a copy in the final form. Chinese delegation then left the hall. After five minutes' con- sultation they returned, and again Mr. Chên went through the details of the Aide Memoire. He emphasised that the financial burden of the settlement should be equally shared.
Mr. Brenan: We must adhere to the conviction that the first shot of the Shakee incident was fired from the Shakee side. We wish to make it clear that we have no fear of an enquiry, and that while we do not reject entirely the suggestion of an enquiry, we consider that it would be a very difficult matter to hold one for the reasons already, stated.
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We cannot accept the demands for compensation, and moment has arrived for us to say that we also have claims filed in the Consulate to put forward on account of the Shakee inci- dent and of the boycott. I am, however, prepared to leave the question of compensation on both sides for later discussion.
As concerns the question of guarantees against a repetition of such an incident, we don't want a repetition, and will do all that we possibly can to avoid it. But it is for the Chinese authorities to see that the same causes do not have the same effects, and to avoid the recurrence of such circumstances as would make such an incident possible.
There is no garrison on Shameen. There is only a police force. Volunteers are there in view of the actual conditions which exist in China. These conditions are not illusory, and the necessity exists for volunteers. It is for the Chinese Govern- We ment to remove the necessity for such defensive measures. only stand to lose by a repetition of such an incident.
Mr. Ch'én: I wish to point out that our suggestion for an inter- national enquiry is an alternative to our second proposal.
Mr. Brenan: The enquiry will be very difficult: even, I fear, impossible.