CO129-573-2 Export of torpedo boats to China 14-5-1938 - 5-10-1938 — Page 50

7230/1/18

а

Andi q5

Dear Henderson,

1230/1/50

10

18 June, 1938.

50

I an asked to write semi-officially to you

to suggest that there may be a certain lack of definition in the policy of His Majesty's Government towards the

present hostilities in China, particularly as affecting

Hong Kong and the conduct of the Colonial Government.

Let me begin by saying that we of course

2.

fully appreciate the need for a realist policy in

particuler circunstances, and that we might land our selves

in trouble if we attempted to bind ourselves to any rigid

formulae. In general the local interests of Hong Kong

and of course the overwhelming sympathies of the

population, are with China. The prosperity of the Colony

is to a very great extent dependent, and must always

be, on maintaining close friendly relations with Kuangtung. Broadly speaking, therefore, the Departmental

view in the Colonial Office would be found to lean towards

the League resolutions in favour of practical sympathy

J.T.HENDERSON, ESQ.

To Janes (admily)

Shucker (BJ.P.

with

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