In any further communication
on this subject, please quote
No.
and address-
F8630/1637/10.
not to any person by name,
but to-
"The Under-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
Sir,
كتها
مز
ti a bail
RECEIVED
23 DEC 1927
COL. OFFICE
3003.2
FOREIGN OFFICE.
S.W. 1.
1111 4128 December, 1927.
Noseral!
(No.15)
28
With reference to your letter 30035/1927 of November 12th,
I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to state
that he con curs in principle in the policy laid down in 1922
regarding political refugees in China who reside in Hongkong,
viz. that it would be contrary to British traditions to deny
the hospitality of the Colony to political refugees so long
as they give no overt cause for complaint and so long as no evidence is forthcoming of any definite acts to which objection
could be taken.
2. Sir Austen Chamberlain is aware that the interpretation
of this policy must to some extent depend on the degree of good relations existing between Hongkong and Canton.
During
the last two years Canton has undoubtedly been used as a
base for political intrigue against Hongkong; and, conversely,
in view of the presence and activities in Hongkong of such
individuals as Chen Chiung-ming, Wong Fu-chi, and Lo Kwan, it
would be difficult to deny that this accusation can be reci-
procated or that the individuals mentioned have (not) given "overt causes of complaint" to the Canton authorities such
as in more normal times should have led to their banishment.
Cases such as these have clearly rendered impossible the strict interpretation of the sanctuary principle, as laid down in 1922, and must embarrass the existence of friendly relations between Hongkong and the Canton authorities.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Gangs Moundry.
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