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on this point are strict.
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Hence our alternative suggestion. Can you not manage to find the money necessary for a settlement (Mr. Soong was internally? Have you not sufficient credit? rather vague, and indicated that it was not a matter of want of credit.)
Mr. Ch'ên: As the dominant interests benefitted would he British interests, we do think that it would be unfair that the Nationalist Government should have to bear the whole burden of the settlement.
Mr. Brenan: Canton benefits equally.
Mr. Soong: We appear now to have reached this point. (a) The proposal for an enquiry is in abeyance, (b) the Canton second proposal is rejected, and (c) my suggestion is also rejected. The position seems clear.
Mr. Brenan: But we made a further proposal, and I wish to repeat that the suggestion of an enquiry is not rejected. It is full of difficulties, and requires careful consideration.
Mr. Ch'ên: Then I understand that the industrial loan is the British delegation's counter-proposal.
Mr. Brenan: Yes, it is a suggestion for the solution of our difficulties.
Mr. Ch'ên: We are not in a position to answer this suggestion at once. I would like to know how long you would require to make a reply as to the suggestion concerning an international enquiry. If both sides agree to abide by the decision, the settle- ment would follow automatically, and in our second proposal, when we speak of guarantees and the sharing of the burden, the incidence of the burden would also be settled by the results of the enquiry. Do I now understand you to say that you are prepared to make an industrial loan as a settlement of the whole question of the boycott?
Mr. Brenan: Yes.
Mr. Kemp: Your enquiry proposal would involve many months, and perhaps even a year. Is the boycott to continue all that
time?
Mr. Ch'én: We ought not to be incapable of finding some solu- tion.
Mr. Brenan: An international enquiry may involve large demands on you.
Mr. Ch'ên: Whatever the court of enquiry decides we will abide by.
Mr. Kemp: Is it your idea that the court should award damages?
Mr. Ch'ên: If the court holds either side responsible that side
would make amends.
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The
Mr. Brenan: The suggestion involves much delay. nations concerned might not be willing to allow their nationals to take part.
Mr. Ch'ên: But the issue is of great importance. There were some 100 dead.
Mr. Brenan: I have no desire to minimise the importance of the issue, but the suggested enquiry will not settle the question, and the Chinese authorities have never before asked for an enquiry.
Mr. Ch'ên: You turn down our demands at once.
for the enquiry is only a matter of numbers.
Witnesses
Mr. Brenan: Sir James Jamieson and Lieutenant-Commander Maxwell Scott and international witnesses are absent.
Mr. Soong: We leave it to the British Legation to say whether they agree to an international enquiry, and we will consult our Government on the counter-proposal.
Mr. Brenan: Do you seriously wish to adjourn for a fortnight or perhaps a month? We need something in writing, as we may have to wire it Home in extenso, and the other Powers con- cerned will then have to be consulted.
Mr. Kemp: At this distance of time the authorities must first be satisfied that an enquiry is possible at all.
Mr. Ch'en: The settlement will involve a financial burden. Mr. Soong: Past burdens we do not consider, only burdens now to be imposed by the settlement.
Mr. Brenan: A long delay is involved. If you insist on an enquiry, please let me have the request in writing, but perhaps you want a delay. A year ago we should have welcomed an enquiry.
Mr. Ch'ên: I do not admit the difficulties in the way of an enquiry. Sir James Jamieson's appearance as a witness would be essential.
Mr. Brenan: Do you want to get him in the witness-box and heckle him there?
Mr. Ch'ên: That is not fair.
Mr. Kemp: Written statements are far less value than oral evidence.
Mr. Ch'ên: Yes. We will make a written statement as to the enquiry.
Mr. Brenan: Have you decided on that course?
Mr. Ch'ên: An enquiry is not impossible. Witnesses can be found.
Mr. Kemp: That will take months.
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