CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 451

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Paraphrase of telegram No.313 to 81r B.Alston (Peking)

Dated October 6th. 1921.

Repeated to Lisbon 82.

I have seen the Portuguese Minister and told him of the contents of Canton telegram No.5 regarding the position at Macao. I further told him that His Majesty's Consul General considers that Portuguese Government ought in their own interests to allow a neutral party to propose

a modus vivendi. The proposal to refer the boundary

problem to the League of Nations is in accord with a like

proposal which has already been made to the Portuguese Minister. But I have pointed out quite frankly that Portuguese Government must assume the responsibility for

any decisions they may arrive at, although of course His Majesty's Goverment would always be ready, when asked,

to assist the Portuguese Government with advice. It

appears from Canton telegram No.7 that the matter is

now somewhat nearer a settiment, but His Majesty's Consul General does not say how the Chinese via the proposal

made in Canton telegram So.ü. Provided the Chinese are

willing to agree I do not ses way I should not sanction

it, but I am of opinion that the proposal ought not to be

persevered with if the Chinese should show themselves

reluctant to socept ma arbitrators the nationals of an

ally of Portugal. Possibly it would be preferable to

suggest that the United States Consul should not as

arbitrator.

Provided you see no objection you may issue

instructions to Mr.Jamieson on the line indicated above.