10.
Then he asked me about the obligations arising out of the Settlements. It is provided under Article 4 of tho 1943 treaty for the relinquishmont of the extra-territorial rights that the Chinose Government will make provision for the assumption and discharge of the official obligations and liabilities of the international settlements and concessions. Wo regard these obligations and liabilitics as including the grant of fair treatment to the former British employees of the municipal councils concerned on the termination of their employment, and His Majesty's Government will do their bost to ensure in the negotiations now in progross with the Chinese Government that such fair treatment is obtained.
With regard to the treatment of the bondholders, obviously the considerations which ho has put forward have great force and they will be borne in mind by His Majesty's Government, who will do what thoy can to secure fair treatment, not only in the lotter but also in tho spirit, for those bondholders.
That really finishes all I have to say. In dealing with a difficult and delicate subject I have thought it wise to adhore much more closely than I generally do to that which I had made up my mind to say. I would concludo with the sentiment I have already expressed. I do not believe you will get prosperity in the world so long as you havo such large sections of the world lying under these unhappy conditions of civil war and internecine strife. I do not believe you can start to bind up the wounds which China has so long endured unless all parties in China learn the blessings of tolerance. I can only say, as I have said, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that while rigidly adhering to our decision not to interfere in Chinese affairs, which are matters for the Chine so, we earnestly hope that there may soon be a happy issue out of these afflictions, and that we will do everything which lies in our power to assist anyone in bringing that about.
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