321
the ship to the Cantonese in order to prevent the serious consequences to which such an incident would give rise.
I am utterly amazed at the Governor suggesting that we should give way to a threat of this nature which would render a severe blow to our prestige in China: and I have therefore telegraphed to him that in view of all the circumstances I have referred the matter to His Majesty's Government and have suggested that if necessary one of His Majesty's ships should escort the "Suuiam" to some safe port. I have pointed out that there can be no question that the vessel is the property of the Chief Salt Inspectorate and that her seizure by the Canton government would constitute a serious blow to the foreign control of the Salt Gabelle which has always been strongly upheld by His Majesty's Government, and would, moreover, be a deliberate violation of the
Re-organisation Loan Agreement.
T
!
!
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.