FO371-23517 — Page 284

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of the agreement and Mr. Shigemitsu was seriously injured a

few days previously in a bomb outrage by a Korean fanatic.

Diplomacy has its dangers no less than war.

Mr. Quo has mentioned some of the points of resemblance

in the British and Chinese characters. Lord Chatfield might

add to these. The Chinese have always been great traders and

have acquired a reputation for honesty in their commercial

dealings. It was a commonplace in the early days of our mutual

intercourse that "a Chinaman's word was as good as his bond". It

still is. The British likewise have always regarded their

merchants as the backbone of the Empire and we also make it a

matter of pride to keep our word and honour our bonds. We have

been giving some rather big ones recently, but the events and

decisions of the last few days show that they can be taken at

face value.

Lord Chatfield might refer with sympathy to the devestation

and suffering inflicted on the Chinese people by the present

campaign, and with admiration to their fortitude and undaunted

will to resistance. He could express the hope that the time

will not be too distant when this fratricidal strife will cease

between the nations of East Asia, and when China in the full

exercise of her national Sovereignty will not only be able to

resume normal and friendly relations with her island neighbours

on a basis of equality, but will set about restoring the country

to/

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