CO129-503-2 Tenure of new territories in view of Chinese situation 19-1-1927 - 8-8-1928 — Page 21

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CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to

the Governor of Hong Kong.

my 21 Feb. 27

داران

(Seat 7.40 p.m. lcth February, 1927).

Your telegram 19th January 1 fully appreciate

that the maintenance of the new Territories under British

administration is vital to the security of Long Kong and i

sympathise with your anxiety that they should we made a

permanent part of the Colony at the earliest opportunity. i am afraid however that it would be exceedingly dangerous

to call attention to the lease in view of the strength

which the present movement for the restoration of Chinese

sovereign rights has now attained. it is scarcely possicle

that any responsible Chinese authority could be induced

in present circumstances to enter into any agreement which

provided for a cession of territory to a foreign Power and

to show the Chinese that we were anxious about the ex

Territories when it is clearly for us to assume that the lease will run its normal course would be to expose a

weakness which they would not be slow to exploit aud magnt well lead to campaign for the rendition, not only of tae

leased area but even of the Colony itself. oreover even

ll this were not so the imposition el any condition wnich

would impede za unuerstanding with the Nationalists would

only serve to defeat your own ends. in View of these

considerations i mave come to te conclusion after

discussion with tue Secretary of State for soreign Affairs

tuat for the present the matter suould be allowed to lie

doranat. Your third proposal must of course be considered

afresh if and when the contingency arises,

JERRY.

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