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Hongkong would make a poor base, thus knocking the bottom out of internationalising the colony on defence and security grounds.
I had many talks with the Chinese about Hongkong but refused to be drawn beyond the official line, 1.0. an assurance that Hongkong would not be allowed to stand in the way of a general settlement. Sans om was also approached a number of times by the Chinese and I understand that into him, as into me, were pumped suggestions of the benefit to Anglo-Chinese relations that would follow an early announcement that we did not intend to keep Hongkong or to use it as a bargaining counter. Dr. Hsu told me that they were prepared to safeguard British interests in the colony but would not be specific.
As no other nation (not even the Dutch) betrays the slightest sign of supporting an attempt to retain Hongkong for any purpose whatsoever, I think we ought to remember that we are likely to get better terms as regards our interests in the colony if, soon rather than late, we tell the Chinese that the place is theirs. One other thing: the Chinese freely admitted that they had no legal claim to the colony.
The next thing is about Malaya. The Americans are training here a cadre of Officers to administer captured territory: they are learning native languages and being taught“ to surmount the problems that face those moving in behind victorious troops. Now, I don't see any sinister design in this: it is a natural and a timely procedure. Van Mook is at the same game: be told me that his present endeavour le to gather, to hold together, and to have ready hore in the U.S.4. every member of the late N.E.I. administration who was free. So that when the Japs are kicked out, the Dutch are ready to go in. I think it is pretty #mportant that we should do the same. I came away from Bout Tremblant convinced that we should have now in Indie a shadow government of Malaya: and that, even at the cost of taking people out of the armed forces, we should collect and have ready in India as many his lay-speaking people as we can lay hands on who can move in on the heels of the retreating Japs and vake charge of, and from the beginning
whatever form of administration is set up.
run
I'm not, I think of an unduly auspicious nature; but the above is more commonsense and may do a neater job,
as well as avold possible gapplications.
Next - can you send me by air maid an advance copy, or proof-sheets of your book? Several people have stressed the need of a simple, brief, unvarnished account of the colonial empire. Some of the Canadian people (particularly Dr. Trotter) were interested in the prospect of getting for their students just such a book as yours. And there may be
other avenues.
Lastly, could you get someone to send me by sea Hailey's "African Survey, the latest Dominion and Colonial Office Liat (the fat red book), and one recent copy of the weekly "East Africa and Rhodesia"? The lost la to try on the librerian at the New York office; I think he ought to get is regularly (and cut it) but 1 will try him with a single copy first.
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