CO129-573-2 Export of torpedo boats to China 14-5-1938 - 5-10-1938 — Page 40

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at any given time. A difficult political situation

in Europe, for instance, must cause His Majesty's

Government to adopt an attitude of greater caution in

the Far East, in order that they should not become

involved in difficulties in two hemispheres at the same

time. This fact has its inevitable repercussion on

the position of Hong Kong, and on the advice we give

the Colonial Government, though there may be no

change in the local circumstances to account for the

altered attitude.

4. The policy of the Hong Kong authorities in

dealing with the problems arising out of the conflict

must therefore depend to some extent on the circumstances

of the moment and it is not possible to give in

advance more definite instructions covering all

possible contingencies.

5. If a situation occurs where immediate action

is required the Governor will doubtless do his best

to reconcile the instructions already given with the

general policy outlined in paragraph 3 above.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd.) R.

Howe.

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