CO129-518-1 Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong 28-6-1929 - 3-1-1930 — Page 86

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appears to be based, not on commercial or technical,

but on purely political considerations. Nor is the

need for any change at the present time explained.

It, therefore, appears that the Chinese National

Government refuses to acccpt the position so often

repeated that the Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong

must be regarded simply as a commercial undertaking like that of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and must be staffed accordingly, and that Wanking has deliberately ignored the views of the long long Government on this subject.

I should be glad if you would infom the

Chinese Minister for Foreign ¡ffairs that tids

Government cannot recognize my new Du erintendent of the Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong until the

requisite formalities have been com lled with,

including the approval by this Government of the

proposed nominee. The anomaly of permitting e Chinese Telegraph Office to function in llong Tong under

a Superintendent appointed by the Chinese Government is

only possible if this post is kopt entirely clear from

politics, and is treated as a strictly commercial under

taking.

7: As I do not wish Lr. Kong Siu-löu to incur

undeserved odium over this matter, I should add that he

himself is quite willing, and even anxious, to retire i

favour of kr. Wu, and that he remains in office solely

on account of the decision of this Government.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

事

(sd)

C.CLEMENTI

Governor, &o.