CO129-505-6 Chinese telegraph office at Hong Kong- transfer to Cantonese control 8-7-1927 - 29-12-1927 — Page 85

COPY.

(7 6202/30/10).

NO DISTRIBUTION.

Code telegram to 3ir M. Lampson (Peking).

Foreign Office.

No. 483. (R).

27th July, 1927. 9.00 p.m.

82

Your telegram No. 1055 (of June 30th: Chinese

telegraph office at Hongkong).

Sir J.D. Fender points out that under the 1884

Agreement the Chinese Telegraph Administration are entitled

to have an office in Hongkong. He fears that the Eastern

Extension Telegraph Company will bear the odium of any

action taken, and that future negotiations may be prejudiced,

and therefore does not wish the company to appear in the

matter in any way. At the same time he recognises that the

company can no longer oppose the wishes of the hongkong

goverment regarding the Chinese Telegraph Office.

suggests that if the Canton authorities officially demand

the removal of the office and if necessary refuse to work

with it, the Peking authorities might agree to withdrawal.

He adds that as regards future working of the

He

lio ngkong end of the line the obvious solution would

be to allow officials nominated by Canton authorities

to take charge if Hongkong goverment would accept such

arrangement.

We agree in principle either to removal of office

to Canton or to its transfer to Cantonese control

•

whichever/