CO129-563-19 Sino-Japanese War- fund for relief of distress in China 5-10-1937 - 17-11-1937 — Page 55

THE FUND FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS IN CHINA

The following is a copy of the letter received from Lord Donoughmore regarding a telephone conversation with Mr. Gull on the subject of the Chairmanship of the General and the Executive Committees.

554

5. Chesterfield Gardens, W.1.

13th October 1937.

Dear Mr. Gull,

It was kind of you to ring me up last night, and I

think it well to confirm in writing the position as I understand it.

I appreciate the goodness of those concerned in desiring

that I should preside over the General Committee which is being

formed, and as I gather from you that this will not meet very

frequently I think I should have no difficulty on this point.

I gather, however, that it is also the wish of those

concerned that I should preside over the Executive Committee, which

I understand will probably be meeting about once in every ten days.

I should have no difficulty in doing that from now until Christmas,

as I expect to be in London constantly until then; but I want to

make clear at once, and shall be grateful if you will inform those

concerned, that I only expect to be in London twice and then only

for about four days at a time between Christmas and Easter.

W

-

Obviously it would be impossible for me to Preside over the Executive

Committee then, and I see no prospect of any change in my arrangements

which would alter the above position. I would leave i', of course,

to our colleagues to settle what would be best to deal with the

circumstances, whether it would not be better in fact to get

somebody else to preside over the Executive Committee when the time

comes.

I quite appreciate what you tell me as regards the collection

of funds, that we may count on the leadership of the Lord Mayor,

subject of course to the alternatives of form of the appeal, which

you were good enough to explain to me.

I shall be interested to hear the outcome of the discussions

how taking place, but meanwhile would like to repeat how greatly I