CO129-553-5 Japanese activities in Macao and Canton 31-1-1935 - 22-11-1935 — Page 133

132

China would not admit Portugal's title to half the

territory claimed.

to agree to this.

Portugal proposed the reference

of the dispute to the Hague, but China flatly refused

Since that date, from time to time,

unpleasant incidents have occurred between local

Chinese authorities and the Government of Macao

directly due to the uncertainty as to what was Chinese

and what Portuguese territory.

The British Government have been interested

not only because of our position in Hong Kong but

also because Portugal has formed the inconvenient habit

of appealing to us for assistance under the Guarantee

Clauses of our old Treaties with her for our inter-

vention against Chinese menaces. The obligations in

question are contained in certain clauses of a number of

treaties between 1373 and 1904. In a Foreign Office

note of 1922 it is stated: "It seemed clear that H.M.

Government is under general obligation to defend

Portuguese territory and colonies against all enemies

of Portugal. Nevertheless, "while the treaties are

ft

admitted to be still in force H.M.Government reserves

to themselves the right of judging the circumstances

in which help may be given or withheld."

"The

present situation would, therefore, seem to be that

can

H.M.Gov.consent or decline to assist Portugal in any

n

particular case of appeal under the Treaties of Friendship

and Commerce, judging each case on its merits. The The present position is that the Portuguese Colony may be said

for practical purposes to consist of the city and peninsu-

la of Macao itself and the two islands immediately to

the south of it, Taipa Island and Colowan Island. The

area