CO129-499-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-1-1927 - 4-2-1927 — Page 77

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ENCLOSURE NO. 2.

(Extract from Hong Kong Shun Po, Hong Kong.23rd Dec. 1926.)

Centralization of matters-diplomatic in the Foreign

Ministry.

77

The Foreign Ministry of the Nationalist Government, in order to centralize all matters-diplomatic, has circulated a latter to all Government Departments in various Provinces which

reads as follows:-

There has been forwarded to me Section 5 (on new diplomatic policy to be adopted) of Resolution 10 in the minutes of the joint conference of Representatives of the Central Executive Committee and the various General and Branch Departments of the Kuomintang of China in various provinces, special divisions,

cities and overseas. It reads as follows:-

"It has been resolved by all members of the Kuomintang under the guidance of the Political Council of the Central Exec-

utive Committee that the Foreign Ministry shall be solely res- ponsible for all matters-diplomatic, and that no department or individual shall have power to handle any matters-diplomatic

or to guide in any diplomatic policy."

On receipt of this, it is my duty to comply with the resolution made by the joint conference of the Kuomintang with

a view to the centralization of amtters-diplomatic. But it is to be feared that some of the Consuls and other Diplomatic officers of various nations might in pursuit of the old practice send their representations to Departments other than the Foreign

Office, and thus trouble might arise. Should there occur such

cases, the representation should immediately be rejected, and for purposes of centralization no Department other than the

Foreign Office should make any representation to any Consul or

Government of any foreign country. Besides notifying various

departments of our Government, I find it necessary to write this

for your information. I hope you will note and inform your

subordinates.

Eugene Chen.

Acting Foreign Minister.