CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 74

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Hongkong, is open to grave objection.

In bringing the above considerations to Your Lord- ship'a notice I am fur from sugesting that it roula de advisable to proceed with the negotiations in face of the clearly expressed desire of the liong kong Government to withdraw from them. The proposed Convention primarily con- cerns Hongkong: the scheme originated in that Colony, and vitaver opinion may be held as to its ultimate importance to British commercial interests throughout China there is no evidence so yet of my strong and videspread feeling in its favour amongst British merchants in this country such no might justify an endeavour to induce the Colonial uffice to modify its present attitude. By only object is to place on record a vinin statement of the case in so far as it has

been dealt with in Peking, and to make it apparent that the responsibility for the sudian cessation of the negotiations

with the Chinese Government at the moment when a dufinite

understanding had at length bean arrived at does not rest

with this Legation.

I have not considered it advisable to notify the

Chinese Covernment formally of the Hongkong Government's

decision, and, subject to Your Lordship's approval, I do

not propose to do so unless a direct enquiry on the subject

should be addressed to me by the Wai Chino Pu.

I have the honour to be,

with the highest respect,

My Lord,

Your Lordship'a most obedient,

humble servant,

(sd) B. Alston.

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