CO129-510-7 Allegations of discrimination against United States companies in Hong Kong 22-3-1928 - 8-1-1929 — Page 2

I. Fo.

(Draws attentra

22/3/28 2

Draws attention to two mustames

alleged discriminating

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2.

We have no information here to

confirm these facts. There is nothing in the

Trade Loan papers about the exact method of

loans

allocating, am therefore not sending them on.

The United States have little right

to protest against discrimination against foreign

interests. They are probably more addicted to

high protection than any other country on Earth.

Possibly they object because Hong Kong are not

playing the game according to established rule,

and are using somewhat unorthodox methods of

discrimination. It may be, of course, that Hong

Kong really believe that non-British motors need

inspection more frequently than British motors,

and that American insurance companies are not

sufficiently reliable; but it is most likely

following

that they are filling the usual policy of further ing

British interests. The benefit of this goes,

not to Hong Kong, but to the interests concerned,

that is, in this case, the motor and insurance

trades. It is really for them to say whether

these benefits are sufficient to counter-balance

the possible retaliatory measures by the United

States.

? Reply that the Secretary of State is

unable to trace any information, but is sending

a copy of the letter to the Governor of Hong Kong

for verification of the facts and for his

observations