CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8] — Page 354

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Mr. CHEN: That is a point for consideration on which we must consult our Government,

MR. BRENAN: What is meant by consulting your Government? Does it involve an adjournment of the Conference for some considerable time?

MR.

CHEN: Hardly that, but I must consult my Government.

MR. BRENAN:

The Chinese pelegation are supposed to have

picnipotentiary powers.

MR. CHEN, then again went through the "Aide Memoirc" in detail. Mr. SOONG remarking at its conclusion that it was rough, being the product of several minds working together.

MR. CHEN promised to supply a copy in the final form.

The Chinese delugation then left the hall. After five minutes consultation they returned and gain MR. CHEN

JA

went through the details of the "Aide Memoire", He emphasised that the financial burden of the settlement should be equally

shared.

MR. BRENAN: We must adhere to the conviction that the

first shot of the Shakee incident was fired from the Shakec

sido. We wish to make it clear that we have no fear of an

Enquiry and that while we do not reject entirely the suggestion

of an Enquiry wc consider that it would be a very difficult

matter to hold one for the reasons already stated.

We cannot accept the dumands for compensation and the

moment has arrived for us to say that we also have claims filod

in the Consulate to put forward on account of the bhakke incident and of the boycott. I am, however, prepared to leave the questio of compensation on both sides for later discussion.

As concerns the question of guarantees against a

repetition of such an incident, we don't want a repetition and will do all that we possibly can to avoid it. But it is

for