475001, H. Kang кад Suivi
243
The Treasury refuse to guarantee the Hong Kong loan. This was of course expected. But their letter entirely ignores what appears to us to be
}
the main reason for the proposal:- the fact that, for reasons of world politics, His Majesty's Govern- ment have been unable to afford any support or assistance either to the Colony of Hong Kong or to the vast interests of British treae in South China against the flagrant violation of our treaty rights by the Bolshevist faction in power in vanton. Possibly our letter of the 8th of October did not give sufficient prominence to this aspect of the lom, but it is surely a matter of common knowledge.
The attitude of the reasury is peculiarly unfortunate at a time when his Lajesty's Government are asking Parliament to guarantee a loan of £10,000,000. for Last Africa, and it may have such disastrous effect on what remains of our prestige in the rar East that Mr. Amery may think it right to make this a Cabinet question. If so, it would perhaps be well if Sir S. Wilson were to inform the Treasury so semi- officially.
It is also a question wie her we should not try to enlist the support of the roreign Office, but perhaps we can keep that for a later sta e, We might send Foreign Office a copy of the correspondence
f
in case they wish to add anything from the point
of view of British trade interests in the Canton area which would be affected by the collapse of credit in Hong Kong.
3
J. 11.25-
G G
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.