CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8] — Page 317

C

315

-3-

by findings of commission and to carry out and en- force any, and all recommendations made by it.

(e) The Commission is to be opened at earliest possible date and,

(f) In order to meet possible difficulties of British in the case of witnesses who have already made written statements to then on the case and who are dead or cannot be traced, or otherwise cannot attend before commission, such statements can be sub- mitted at enquiry." Ends.

We pointed out that this proposal should have been made a year ago when it might have been feasible. Production of our most important witnesses of neutral nationality, or even of their depositions would be almost impossible now. Furthermore, French were equal- ly involved with ourselves in the affair and an en- quiry could not be held without their participation. We asked whether in the event of His Majesty's Govern- ment agreeing in principle Canton government would

secure co-operation of the French and make all other necessary arrangements. Minister for Foreign Affairs replied that although they demanded an enquiry, they did not consider French participation necessary, but if we thought otherwise we could approach the French ourselves. No amount of argument could shake their attitude, and finally we said that although in all the circumstances we considered the enquiry im-

possible, we would not reject the proposal out of hand, but would refer it to His Majesty's Goverment.

Pending