CO129-501-5 Chinese situation- Recognition of Canton Government 22-7-1927 - 28-9-1927 — Page 12

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question of the New Territories, it seems clear that there is

no immediate prospect of progress as to which see my telegram

of 18th February whi ch still holds good.

You should, I suggest, discuss the whole question with

Sir M.Lampson on your visit to Peking, but you should regard it

as axiomatic that while the present confused conditions obtain

there can be no question of further recognition. Ends.

Your proposals for recognition would not in any case

have been practicable as explained in above but the threatened

renewal of the boycott at Canton well illustrates my point

regarding the instability of conditions in Kwangtung and the

circumspection with which any such proposals must be approached.

You should remember that in accordance with diplomatic

procedure recognition once granted cannot subsequently be with-

drawn while the recognised Government remains of the same

type. Even if other conditions were fulfilled it could not be

expected that His Majesty's Government would run the risk of

extending recognition to the Canton Government with the

prospect that circumstances might at any time arise necessitating

the delivery of an ultimatum followed by coercive measures.