22/5.
Paraphrase of telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
Secret.
(Sent, 4.45 p.m. 22nd May, 1926.)
373
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Grindle 2.at once.
Copy 70.20-A
At first His Majesty's Government was in agreement with your view (see your Secret despatch of the 23rd of Karch) as to the inexpediency of Lord Willingdon's Delegation visiting Canton. Since however the reception of the Delegation in other parts of China has been so good and since political issues have been so successfully avoided His Majesty's Government have reached the con- clusion (a) that it is not possible to maintain the objections to the visit and (b) that the omission of such an important part of China as Canton might very pre- judicially affect the success of their Indemnity policy as a whole. The feeling of the Government in this matter has been that great weight must be attached to the opinions of Lord Willingdon and his colleagues; the more so, since they have Lord Buxton's strong support and, in addition have the backing of high independent opinion. The decision has accordingly been reached, that the Delegation should first pay an official visit to Hong Kong and then proceed to Canton with as little delay as possible. The fact that the Destar has no concern
Delegation
with local politics will be carefully emphasised. however of the first importance that the Delegation should proceed to Canton from the Colony in a British ship (possibly a destroyer) and should not be hindered by the Cantonese.
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