CO129-507-9 Chinese Telegraph Office- Hong Kong- transfer to Cantonese control 4-1-1928 - 20-7-1928 — Page 89

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89

Enclo. No. 2.

Enclo. No. 3.

Mr.

translation

22nd March the letter of which I attach a copy, stating that Mr. Chu Chao-hsin, while having no objection to the English version of the title of Commercial Agent in charge of the Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong, could not, without first obtaining the concurrence of Marshal Li,

agree to the Chinese version, as proposed by me. Chu added quite erroneously that the Chinese tradition had already been mutually agreed upon. He also considered that it was desirable to obtain the approval

of Marshal Li to the appointment of the merchant in

question,and, therefore, desired that the whole matter

should be held over, pending Marshal Li's return. 1

replied in a letter dated the 26th March, of which i

attach a copy, that I could not accept Mr. Chu's

translation of the title and that I could not agree to

indefinite postponement of the appointment of a Cantonese

nominee to the post. On the 29th March 1 received a

letter from iur. Brenan, dated the 27th March, which had

crossed mine, reiterating, as a result of interviews

with Mr. Chu Chao-hsin and Mr. Li Min-yin, the statement

that the Cantonese authorities were unable to make a

definite appointment until Marshal Li Chai-sum returned,

and asking me to wait a little longer and not to take the step of closing the office, which would cause

resentment and misunderstanding. As regards the Chinese

title of the Commercial Agent who is to be in charge,

Mr. Li Min-yin thought that my version would be acceptable "pending unification of China", and he promised

to advise the Canton Political Council accordingly.

Subsequently,