To G. E. J. Gent, Esq.
2
33
7.11.45.
(K. always
We
real evidence, and all I have seen so far would not stand
This does not stop people up in court for two seconds. from pressing for his immediate arrest and trial. was a man who inspired violent personal dislike). would look pretty foolish if we yielded to this pressure on any evidence available at the moment, and I will not have it.X
9.
We
Reopening business is the topic of the day. You will have seen the telegram I sent about this and
I observed the loose ends lying round my proposition. trust these will not prevent you from signifying early approval in principle: the thing is to get out the announcement that the port is open for trade again.
I think at this end you can iron out the details later. get a clearer impression of the present urgency and
If we could opportunity than any I can convey in writing. get Hong Kong into action while business cautiously explores its position under the new masters of Shanghai and elsewhere,
All foreigners we'd have the jump on the entire China coast.
representing money, property and trade beg us to go ahead, as representing the one potentially stable spot in this area. Bond of the C.N.A.C., not previously notable as an Anglophile, flew in from the squeeze-ridden airports of the interior and publicly hoped that there would be no nonsense about giving Hong Kong to China. And I could multiply the instances.
10.
I wish I had the opportunity to report on all this sort of thing more fully. My concentration and energy are wholly on immediate problems like food and labour and handling situations like the one developing now of the resumption of 200 acres of land in the New Territories. Local reactions to resuming the land for the new airport are bad, as they always are: it is unfortunate that we have to push ahead with a controversial project like this at this particular moment when, above all, we try to shun
But we incidents which may grow into larger incidents. must have an airport and never again will we have a crack R.A.F. instruction team so lavishly equipped in our midst.
to But the reactions are right up Chang Fa Kwei's alley,
We must chance it, say nothing of other mischief makers. though.
11.
I would like some time soon to put on record the value of the work done by several officers (particularly
Feople like Cadets) who have stayed behind to help. Hawkins, Barrow, and C. B. Burgess are worth their weight
Your telegram of November 1st in gold to this administration.
'The about New Year honours has placed me in a difficulty. air is full of quisling charges and counter charges, and no one has had time to make up his mind, or indeed to sift I can the facts which necessarily is a lengthy business. see why it is important, however, to put some names forward,
I fancy and I will hope to telegraph finally this week. the most knowledgeable sponsors are already in England, however. North and Selwyn Clarke are the two whose judgment I'd take, and I hope any recommendations you receive from here will be checked with them.
Encl.-
I am sending
A
Yours sincerely,
Om. mart sell.
copy is enclosed reports
to Drew at the lü
at time W.O.
In
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