CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927 — Page 233

30045/27.

257

Paraphrase Telegram from the Secretary of State

for the Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.

Sent 2.0 p.m., 10th February, 1927.

Personal. Situation at Hong Kong.

Your telegram

of 2nd February. I share your anxiety and the

extreme difficulty of your position is fully realised

and sympathised with. The general lines of British

policy in China have been publicly declared and are

known to you and all that it is possible for me to add

at present is that I will not overlook the importance

which you attach to firmness. The question of warlike

operations does not of course arise at present.

The

steps you have been taking locally are welcome to me

and you will have my support in doing whatever is neces-

sary for the maintenance of order within the Colony.

If you think I could usefully send you any message for

publication do not hesitate to suggest its terms.

The present moment, however, is not particularly oppor-

tune for this so far as I am able to judge.

AMERY.