CO129-507-1 Proposal to dispose of Boxer Indemnity funds- claim by Hong Kong university 21-12-1927 - 24-7-1928 — Page 31

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copies of subsequent correspondence were sent.

I am quite satisfied that it was through

an oversight that we were not kept informed, and that

it was in no way intentional. Sir V. Wellesley

was very apologetic, as he said it was inexcusable

and he promised me that such a thing would not happen

in the future.

Sir V. Wellesley showed me the Foreign

Although

Office files in connection with the Boxer Indemnity

and the minutes of the various officials, from

the acting Secretary of State downwards.

different views are held by some or the people, the

agreement finally arrived at was that it would be

better to do nothing at all unless we go the whole

way, and as well as letting China off making

further payments, hand back the £2,500,000.

argument in favour of this course appears to be

suffer

would

that were we now to make a gesture, as I

Them we w release are from making any

and say

The

further payment and at the same time keep the £2,500,000☛ the Chinese would at once say we were

only releasing them from making further payments,

which meant very little, in order that we might

pinch the £2,500,000, and that it would have a very

bad effect in China.

I told him that the line our Secretary of

State would take at the Cabinet would be to urge

strongly that the £2,500,000 should not be handed

back.

G.G.

23.11115

BA6

47.11.78

atonce