CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926 — Page 149

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48. The Japanese Minister at once remarked that

his Government would have to give the British memoran-

dum prolonged consideration and there was a concensus

of opinion among Mr. O'Malley's colleagues that, the

previous proposals about Washignton surtaxes having now

become involved in wider issues, it would be impossible

for the present to make any progress towards granting

them. (Peking telegram to Foreign Office No.531 of the

18th December).

49. The Hong Kong Government was most heartily

in favour of an attempt being made to unite the Powers

in support of a common policy in China; but we pointed

out that, if the Powers did not negotiate as to treaty

revision until the Chinese themselves had constituted

a Government to pursue a constructive policy in har- mony with the spirit of the Tashington Conference (see

paragraph 6 of British memorandum), events in Chine would for an indefinite period pursue their present destructive course. If, however, it was the policy

of the Powers to endeavour to maintain harmonious

relations with China without waiting for or insisting

on the prior establishment of a strong Central Govern-

ment" (see paragraph 7 of British memorandum), then in

view of the admitted disintegration of China, recog-

nition of regional authorities should be expedited for

the sake of this Colony and of British interests in China generally. as regards the proposal to grant the Washington surtaxes unconditionally at once, we felt

very strongly:-

(a) that this would be a direct subvention of civil

war

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