2.
16
Mr. Tsiang explained the objections to doing so, name ly
the Ministry's fear of publie oriticism of their action
in handing over charge of a Chinese office to foreigners,
3. Eventually Mr. Triang produced a new proposal,
namely that, while the office should be handed over to
the Cable Companies to work, the Chinese superintendent
would remain in Hongkong, though taking no part in the
affairs of the office, This proposal being discouraged,
Mr. Young made a suggestion, which he had apparently al-
ready placed before his chief, that the office be placed
in charge of a reputable Chinese resident of Hongkong,
who would be neutral and entirely non-political, and who,
while receiving his appointment from Peking, would also
be acceptable to Canton. Mr. Tsiung said he would like
to consider the matter further, and then reverted to the
suggestion previously made (see my despateh number 92
above referred to) to send down Wr. C.H. Chen, of the Chin-
ese Railway Service, who was supposed to be on friendly terms
with General Li Chai-sum, in the hope that he would be able
to arrange matters with the Canton authorities.
ed out that General Li's tenure of office in Canton appeared
to be precarious, and that ar. Chen might find when he got
there that someone else was in control. Mr. siang said that
he would consult further with Mr. Chen before coming to any
decision, and the interview then terminated.
It was po int
point
4. lie thing more was heard of the tter until the 26th.
instant, when a letter was received from the Director General
(copy and translation attached) stating that är, ch'en_Ch'ing-
wen (C.M. Chen) had been appointed to proceed to Hongkong to
deal with the matter and take over the office, and requesting
/ me to
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