FO371-23517 — Page 129

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No.473.

(7/72/G/39)

SECRET.

+3776

My Lord,

1 9 APR 1939

22 3776

F 37 28

BRITISH EMBASSY,

20 APR 1939

PARIS.

18th April, 1939.

I have the honour, with reference to Your Lordship's

despatch No.892 (F 3024/G) Secret, of April 14th, to inform

you that I spoke to the Minister for Foreign Affairs after

luncheon at His Majesty's Embassy on April 17th on the subject

of the suggestion of the Chinese Ambassador in London regarding

collective action between Great Britain and China in defending

their possessions in the Far East. M.Bonnet suggested that the

matter should in the first instance be raised with the permanent

officials of the Ministry. Accordingly His Majesty's Minister,

on my instructions, raised the matter later in the day with the

Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr.

Campbell informed M. Charvériat and M. Chauvel, the Head of the

Sous-Direction d'Asie, whom he called in, of the reply returned

by Your Lordship to the suggestion of the Chinese Ambassador

and of the reasons on which this reply was based, as set out

in paragraphs 6 and 7 of Your Lordship's despatch to His

Majesty's Ambassador at Shanghai No.308 of April 13th.

Mr. Campbell also enquired regarding the suggestions of the

Ministry for an approach to the United States Government.

2. M. Chauvel stated that the Ministry had considered that

any suggestions which contemplated bringing the United States

into the circuit of the Governments considering the defence of

their interests in China was of value. The Ministry's idea

The Right Honourable

The Viscount Halifax, K.G., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.,

etc., etc., etc.

was/

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