CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926 — Page 130

· 24

i

overthrow the Maritime Customs, I, therefore, tele-

graphed to you pointing out that the position as

regards Hong Kong was most grave, because the Colony

was ceded to Great Britain by reason of article III

of the Treaty of Nanking, while it was article X of

the same treaty as regards imports and exports which

the Canton Government defied. "It is, moreover,

I

added, "the avowed object of the Nationalist Party to

regain both Hong Kong and the New Territorios leased

to Great Britain under the Convention of 1898. If,

therefore, the sanctity of treaties is not defended, not only are the trade and future prosperity of Hong Kong seriously menaced, but our title deeds to the

Colony and the New Territories become mere scraps of

paper. I am convinced that the Canton Government will

of set purpose ignore and defy treaties up to the point

at which it meets with forcible resistance. In such

circumstances a policy of conciliation is futile, and I earnestly hope that His Majesty's Government will

insist upon strict observance of our treaties and allow no alteration in them except by negotiation in proper form". (Hong Kong telegram to Colonial Office, dated 31st October).

29. You replied in a telegram, dated the 4th November:- "Any policy based on the assertion of treaty-rights by force of arms, either with or with- out the co-operation of the other Powers, is entirely impracticable". And meanwhile the Foreign Office instructed Sir. R. Macleay to explain to his colleagues that the attitude of His Majesty's Government was as

follows:-

134

Page 130Page 131