CO129-553-5 Japanese activities in Macao and Canton 31-1-1935 - 22-11-1935 — Page 50

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46)

Enclo. No.6.

from His Majesty's Government for protection in the case of

political interference.

3.

In this connection I would invite attention to

His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief's Secret telegram No.390 of 29th March, 1935, to the Admiralty and to Sir William Peel's Secret telegram No.83 of 6th April, 1935, regarding the

guarantee required. While there was at no time any suggestion that the guarantee should be given by the Colonial Government in its own capacity this Colony, as the portion of the Empire nearest to Japan, is very much interested in seeing that the Japanese do not obtain a base of operations so close to Hong Kong, and I believe Mr. Grayburn's statements as to the pressure put upon him by the Service representatives in the Colony to forestall the efforts of the Japanese to obtain

control of the Waterworks to be correct. The words in the first and second lines of the draft form of guarantee"at the request of certain officials of the Government of Hong Kong" are not strictly correct and the words "at the request of certain officers of His Majesty's services in Hong Kong"

would seem to fit the circumstances more correctly.

4.

In the circumstances I would ask that Mr.

Grayburn's request for a guarantee from His Majesty's

Government of indemnity in the event of political interference may receive favourable consideration.

5.

An extract from the Boletim Qficial of Macau of the 27th July, 1935, referred to in the proposed guarantee is

enclosed.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

NL

Smith's

Officer Administering the Government.

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