CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927 — Page 53

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presumably be necessary, the complete cessation of British trade with middle and south China and possibly

the whole would clearly have the most serious consequences, while Hongkong itself would be paralysed. Indeed would not a blockade be in effect a blockade

of Hongkong?

I understand you take the view that the

mere threat would be effective and that we should not

actually have to put such measures in operation. But it is a distasteful policy to threaten measures which

if executed could not be relied on to produce the

desired result and before counter measures could

commend themselves to His Majesty's Government we should require to be convinced that they would be decisive in operation.

AMERY.