Combined with the appointment of his predecessor, Sir Alexander Cadogan, as Deputy Under-Secretary at the' Foreign Office, and the Government's known interest in the Far East, well-informed observers hope that' Sir Hughe's transfer to China will mark a new era in Far Eastern affairs in which, it is believed, equal satisfaction for Chinese, Japanese and British interests will be the frst aim.
Visited by a Reuter correspondent to-day, Sir Hughe was found engrossed writing a Chinese exercise. He has been studying with a Chinese teacher since his appointment as Ambassador to China, He laughingly complained that romanized Chinese bore very little relation to the actual pronunciation.
Sir Hughe disclaimed ability to speak on Far Eastern questions. It was impossible, he said, to form a view on them until he was actually on the spot. "Even 24 hours of per~ sonal observation," he declared, "would make all the difference." He was looking forward 1o his new duties, he added, 'Reuter understands that there is no intention of giving up the British Embassy at Peiping.. Sir. Hughe's headquarters will be at Nanking, but occasionally ho will reside at Peiping, where the old Embassy will be fully'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.