with the special conditions obtaining in China and the Far East and it might well be that both H.M. G. and the Hong Kon-583 Government would be highly embarrassed by the consequences.
It must not be forgotten also that any such action would be tantamount to according the Canton Goverment some measure of international recognition aproceeding which strikes us as undesirable at present. For these and other reasons H.L.G. consider that an appeal to the League would be inexpedient.
(4) Conciliation. So far as our information serves us it would not appear that further efforts in this direction are likely to serve any useful purpose in existing circun-
stances.
H.M.G.can
(5) Assistance to anti-communist leader. see no element either in Kwangtung or elsewhere the support of which would hold out any prospect of success. Moreover the considered opinion of H.M. G.'s advisers in China is to maintain policy of neutrality and to reverse our policy in the face of this advice might entail gravest consequences.
(6)
It would appear therefore that there is only one active policy remaining which merits further examination, namely the question of organising an intemational counter- boycott against Canton. It is very doubtful however how far the various Powers, even if genuinely desirous of restrain- ing their nationals, possess legal rights to do so end apart from further reasons referred to below it is clear that the proposal is open to serious difficulties both practical
and theoretical.
H.M.G. fear therefore that they are forced to the conclusion that there is no alternative at present to a policy of peace and moderation, H.M. G. fully realise the grave difficulty and loss to which Hong Kong has been exposed and will continue to investigate every possible line
of
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.