CO129-540-13 Proposal by Chinese Government to establish vice-consulate in Hong Kong 6-6-1932 - 30-12-1932 — Page 6

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connection with Chinese consuls in Malaya, but so

far as I have reau the correspondence it has always

seemed to me that the difficulties were sentimental

rather than real. notice

They do not seem to have

come to

before Sir C. Clementi's arrival in ialaya,

and with all respect I would suggest that his other

actions have not been such as to justify any blind- faith

Ce in his judgment.

The real position seems to be that the

general policy of His Majesty's Government is

towarus treating China on a basis of equality,

although, largely owing to the faults of the Chinese

themselves, progress in that direction is slow.

Hong Long, however, find it aifficult to contemplate

treating Chinese as equals anu accordingly raise

objections to a Chinese consul which they would not

think of raising to a consul from any other country.

At the same time, while I do not think that the

harm to Hong Long would be anything like what the

local authorities suggest, there is no point in

simply acceuing to the Chinese request without

getting anything in return. We are in a position

to give them something which they apparently want

very much, and we certainly ought to try and get

something for it.

A more serious practical difficulty is

the danger of disputes arising out of the relations

between Nanking anu Canton. A consul appointed by

Nanking using his position to intrigue against

Canton would obviously be an embarrassment to the

Hong Kong Government, and if Canton ever again

entirely

tries to set up an abel independent Government

there might be disputes about the right of

appointment.