CO129-560-17 Kowloon- expropriation of Chinese property 6-1-1937 - 4-9-1937 — Page 75

Would the Hongkong Government not consent to leave these

people to the jurisdiction of their own authorities? He knew

there was an Order-in-Council of 1899 but the Chinese

authorities did not recognise its validity.

I replied that

all that had been gone into at the time and the British

Government's attitude had been conveyed to the Chinese

Minister in London in a Note from the Secretary of State

himself in 1900. Mr. Hsu said the Chinese had never admitted

the correctness of that attitude. I replied that that was so,

but the fact remained that that was the British Government's

attitude and there was no likelihood of their receding from

He ended up with "Well, anyhow, please give my letter

"to the Ambassador as soon as he gets back".

it.

I gained the impression from Mr. Hsu's manner that he

did not really expect his representations to bear much fruit.

(Signed)

A.B.BLACKBURN

2/12/1936.