CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5] — Page 120

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Enclosure 3 ::

PARAPHRASE.{c

Telegram No. 10 From Beking. No 10

To H.M.Consul-General, Canton.

Despatched February 1st 1926.

Received February (2nd)11a.m.

Addressed to Foreign Office Telegram No.

42. Repeated to Canton Telegram No. 10. Please forward to Hongkong.

Reference your telegram No. 35.

My telegram No. 39 will, I think, have

pointed out the serious objections and dangers to the employment of force at present in the manner contemplated in paragraphs 1 and 2(b) of your telegram.

Even if it could be maintained that the strike, boycott and refusal to trade constituted infringe- ment either of the Washington or of any other Treaty, it would be very doubtful whether any Power not directly concerned would regard us as justified in looking upon such a high-handed and unfriendly attitude on the part of Canton towards Hongkong and British trade as a casus belli.

The attitude of the Japanese Government to- wards previous boycotts has been so supine that I doubt whether, even in the event of the boycott of Japan (mentioned in Sir James Jamieson's telegram No. 3) mater- ializing, they would be prepared to join us in employing force. It is probable that France, having nothing to lose, would be more ready to co-operate than any other country. If, however, it should be thought advisable to learn the views of the Powers, either as to our taking isolated action or as to their willingness to co-operate, it would be essential for the enquiries to be made either in London or in the respective capitals, since

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