Sir A. Caldecott reiterated his opinion that
if we once gave up jurisdiction in the city of Kowloon
this would constitute a serious threat to the
maintenance of the colony of Hong Kong.
if this were admitted
Mr. Cowell pointed out that in the ease any
question of reversing previous policy and admitting
clearly Chinese jurisdiction would have to be decided by the
Cabinet.
Sir A. Caldecott auggested that the walls
should be preserved but that the four remaining hovels
in the city should be cleared and that a park should be
created there. If the Chinese Government continued
to object, then the new Governor, when he went out to
Hong Kong, might suggest that the park should be styled
a Sino-British park and be administered by a Committee
incorporated by a llong Kong Ordinance, and the Chinese
Government should be invited to nominate a representative
on the administrative Committee of the park. While
there would then be no question of Chinese jurisdiction,
he thought that this would go far towards saving the
Chinese "face".
Mr. Orde said that they would have to consider
the matter further at the Foreign Office, and that with
regard to the request from the 0.A.G. of Hong Kong, that
steps should be taken for the eviction of the remaining
householders within the city, they would telegraph to
H.. Ambassador in China to ask if he saw any objection.
He himself was of the opinion that the eviction might be completia
continued and need not be postponed for consideration of
the larger question of jurisdiction.
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