CO129-513-4 Land leases in the new territories 8-11-1928 - 29-7-1929 — Page 6

"A

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prejudged, but will have to be decided in the

circumstances of the moment. It is possible

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that demand may not arise for many years, at any

rate not in such force that it camot be put off.

On the other hand it is conceivable that if and when

it does arise our relations with China may be so

improved that we can explain our difficulty to the Chinese authorities and, may be, reach some agreement. I feel, therefore, that the best thing will be

to refuse to approve the Governor's proposal for

75 year leases and say that the Secretary of State

considers that the present practice should be

continued until there arises any strong demand

for longer leases, and that he considers that it

is undesirable to decide in advance whether and

how that demand can be met.

We must, of course, consult the Foreign

Office. As a matter of tactics I think there is

something to be said for simply sending a copy

of the despatch for their observations without

committing ourselves to any opinion, but on the

whole I think it would be best to write in

substance as in the immediately preced ing

paragraph.

I aque Ala Holu

J. Cand

3.4.29

with Mr Caine except that

Whink it might to

might be best tomoned to dons her the forst fleck

F.O. fu dom

Disappointing. Sis

1M4/4

C. Clementi has

jove back on his attitude at

The Conference, ats