opy.
Paraphrase of Feking telegram to Hong Kong
dated 8.1.23.
repeated to Foreign Office No. 7.
54
I think we should be adopting a dangerous policy if we
now assisted Chen, which would lay us open to well-founded
charge of meddling in Chinese domestic affairs,
although I, like you, feel apprehension at the possibility that Sun may
regain control in Kwangtung.
In my view it would also be a mistake on our part to
increase Sun Yat-Sen's hostility towards us. I consider
that we should be better advised to remember that he is
beholden to us for the protection of an English war-ship in
July 1922, and to use that fact as a lever to try and
induce him to change his present anti-British attitude.
(See my despatch to Foreign Office No. 579 of 11th September).
It must be remembered that Sun Yat Sen has still
considerable influence in China, and that there is a
possibility of his becoming Vice-President of the Republic in
the event of Tsao Kun being elected, as he quite well may,
Moreover, a close liaison unquestionably exists between Sun and
the military party, which is now paramount in the Peking
Government.
Above refers to Hong Kong telegram of January 7th to
Colonial Office.
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