CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 84

يبية .

(38017/12).

82

to come to terms with the Chinese Government result in fail-

ure the negotiations should be regarded as having definitely

broken down, and he will place himself in communication with

the other Powers with a view to recover his liberty of action.

It is not anticipated that a further long delay will

occur before the Chinese Government are provided with the

funds of which they stand in need, but in the meanwhile it

would be impossible to draw a valid distinction between pro-

vincial or municipal loans and state loans which His

Majesty's Government are for the time being pledged to dis-

countenance unless concluded under the auspices of the Six

Therefore, while fully recognising the

close interest of the Colony of Hongkong in the preservation

of order at Canton, he feels that the suggestion of financial

assistance being afforded to the Provincial Government by

the Colony cannot for the time being be entertained.

Power Consortium.

I am to request that the above information as to the

possibility

a