WINA
SQUATTERS 1
CHINESE "SQUATTERS" KEEP POSSESSION IN KOWLOON
HONGKONG, MONDAY - WATCHED BY POLICE GUARDS, SQUATTING CHINESE, THEIR GOODS AND CHATTELS SPREAD ABOUT THEIR MAKESHIFT SHELTERS, WERE TODAY STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE SLUM AREA OF THE OLD WALLED CITY OF KOWLOON, ON THE MAINLAND OPPOSITE HONGKONG.
WO EARLIER EVICTIONS, AFTER THEIR HOMS HAD BEEN CONDEMNED AND DEMOLISHED FOR HEALTH REASONS, LED TO WIDE-SPREAD ANTI- BRITISH RIOTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS LAST WEEK.
THE GUARDING POLICE MADE NO EFFORT TO INTERFERE TODAY. CHINESE OPINION WAS STILL INCENSED AT THE SENTENCE OF THREE MONTHS' HARD LABOUR IMPOSED ON TWO MEN CHARGED WITH CITEMENT TO RESIST WHEN POLICE REMOVED THE HUTS FOR THE SECOND TIME.
THE ACCUSED SAID THEY WOULD APPEAL, BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO
YET.
FOOD PRICES IN HONGKONG, WHICH ROSE SHARPLY AFTER A CANTON DEMONSTRATION ON FRIDAY, DROPPED TODAY AND RICE WAS AGAIN! ENTERING THE COLONY THROUGH NORIAL CHIMINELS.
REUTER IF 0845
CHINA
SQUATTERS 2 CHONGKONG)
THE EVICTION ISSUE - STILL UNSOLVED
TO PEACEFUL ANGLO-CHINESE
RELATIONS.
REMAINED A THREAT
WELL INFORMED QUARTERS, WERE OPTIMISTIC HOWEVER, THAT HIGH-LEVEL NEGOTIATION WOULD RESULT IN A COMPROMISE, POSSIBLY INVOLVING THE RETENTION OF THE PRESENT STATUS QUO BUT LEAVING THE QUESTION OPEN TO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I THIS WAY HEITHER SIDE WOULD LOSE "FACE."
FUTURE DISCUSSION WOULD EVITABLY INVOLVE THE FUTURE OF THE WHOLE COLONY OF HONGKONG AND ITS SATELLITE CITY OF KOWLOON, ALTHOUGH LOCAL OFFICIAL OPINION IS THAT THE COLONY WILL NEVER BE RETURNED TO CHINA.
REUTER
0847
20
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