254
that relatively trifling gain alone
were involved, Mr. Amery would not have
troubled their Lordships.
The reasons why Mr. Amery
thought it proper to approach Their
Lordships are referred to in paragraphs
2, 3 and 5 of the letter from this Depart-
ment of the 8th of October, but were
(44905)
perhaps not
sufficiently set out in
Briefly the important
detail.
consideration is that the undertaking
by His Majesty's Government of this
highly contingent liability might be
expected to have a good political effect
in the Far East and do something to restore
British prestige in Southern China, and
especially in Hong Kong, where the inability
of His Majesty's Government to do anything
to assist the colony in its time of
difficulty has produced a discontent which
Mr. Amery is anxious to allay.
Mr. Amery is well aware of
the considerations which make it
necessary for Their Lordships to limit
their commitments.
He would, however,
point out that if Hong Kong should be
reduced to a position in which it could
not meet its liabilities, nis Majesty's
Government would scarcely be in a better
position for having withhela its
guarantee of this loan: and in the
political circumstances obtaining
he regards the present case as being one
of inevitable need.
In these circumstances Mr.
Amery is confident that their lordships
will see fit to reconsider their
decision.
1 am, etc.,
Mr.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.