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to accept ir. Mace's resignation and not to insist on further enquiry. Their reply was discussed at this morning's meeting. It was decided not to reply to it until we were in receipt of instructions from our governments requested by our identic telegran in my telegram No. 226 but it was recognized that apart from question of wording it formed possible basis of settlement of issues between heads of legations and municipal council.
Your telegram No. 143 has now raised question again from the beginning and I must ask for definite and urgent instructions as to what my attitude is to be.
May I urge with greatest respect that too much attention should not be given to the Shanghai aspect of the case? If His Majesty's Government make it clear that decisions of hoads of legations were based on unanimous report of their British, American, Japanese, Italian and French delegates and that those decisions are of an administrative not judicial character I cannot believe public opinion in England will regard them as objectioreble. Heads of legations do not pretend to be a judicial body; if a judicial enquiry into events of May 30th is required let the Chinese take action and claim damages before Shanghai courts. But to set up a second administrative enquiry is to invalidate the whole position of foreign repre- sentatives here and His Majesty's Goverment will be assuming a very grave responsibility in insisting on it.
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