CO129-507-9 Chinese Telegraph Office- Hong Kong- transfer to Cantonese control 4-1-1928 - 20-7-1928 — Page 48

(34)

Not need

82/9/22

Aurad El

42

SJUN 1923

Telegram from the Officer Administering the Government of

Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Dated 16th June, 1928.

(Received Colonial Office 8.5 a.m., 16th June, 1928)

48

Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies

Repeated to Peking No.18. Canton.

My telegram of May 7th Chinese Telegraph Office. Centon telegram to Peking No.56 of the 11th and Peking telegram to Canton No.99 of the 11th repeated to Foreign Office.

Position has changed since surrender of Peking to Nationalists. If Peking now makes appointment acceptable to Canton it will be difficult for Hong Kong to object. Canton however desires for its own reasons to make appointment and has assured Brenan with whom I have discussed the matter that Peking will not object. On the other hand Canton will gain face by making appointment, will be highly gratified by our acceptance and will be very resentful if we refuse. We are anxious to keep an the best possible terms with Canton and I do not consider that acceptance of Canton nominee will materially weaken our position as regards effective removal of Chinese control of telegraph office.

Subject to your approval I propose to inform Brenan that

I will accept substitution of Canton nominee for present superin- tendent giving him the same title and the same recognition as are given to present holder except that seal would he handed over provided always that nominee is acceptable to Hong Kong Government, and on the understanding that this Government in no way recedes from its position that continuance of Chinese Telegraph Office under a Chinese official in Hong Kong is objectionable and must be terminated as soon as possible. Suggest discussion

with Clementi.