22 128
The Secretary of State has directed that this
should not go to F.0. without his express instructions.
Taking the last paragraph first, the Hankow
negotiations are not finally broken off, only
Sam not hear which word most crently deserts the situation
M
+
The defence of
x
suspended.
The exact state of affairs is shown in
Mr. O'Malley's telegram No. 36 (herewith) Even if
they should not be renewed, it is not yet inevitable
that warlike operations should en sue, unless some
serious outrage upon the persons of British subjects should occur, and in any case some delay is desirable
while British subjects are getting out of the interior.
If however war should become inevitable, the Governor
Shameen - & bombing is probably right about Canton.+ His suggestion as
and blockade of
Canton are dealt with) to a Brigade being stationed at Hongkong is a good
in C.I.D. paper
762 B - No. 11 in
file 30045.
one, and in view of the difficulties about Shanghai
which have arisen, His Majesty's Government may be
glad to stop some of the troops at Hongkong.
The Governor's anxiety is fully justified.
It is unfortunately the case that the continuous
series of violations of treaties etc. by the Cantone se
which we have not been able effectively to resist,
and especially the Hankow affair, have seriously
damaged British prestige, and the strain imposed
on him is necessarily very severe. On the other
hand we have to bear in mind that on the few
occasions when "firmness" has been shown the
Shanghai, Shaki and Wahn sien "massacres" and the despatch of troops to Shanghai the results have not always been all that could be desired. Nevertheless,
there is great force in Governor's second paragraph.
-
For
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