CONEI DENTIAL.
57/13/49
British Legation to the Holy See,
ROME.
12th September, 1942.
16
End, t (31) Please refer to Foreign Office despatch No. 86 (2 5442/14810/41)
of 23rd August about the threatened requisition of the Spanish Dominican convent in Hong Kong.
I took a note based on that despatch to Monsignor Tardini on September 9th, and spoke as instructed by the Foreign Office. He replied that he fully sympathised with the Hong Kong Govern- ment's difficulties about overcrowding and he was grateful for their courtesy in the present case. He assured me that the Vatican had no desire whatever to leave Chinese refugee priests doing nothing in Hong Kong, but, on the contrary, wished to put them to work elsewhere as soon as possible. The trouble was that Formosa and the Philippines, which were the obvious places, were already pretty crowded. The Vatican would, however, do their best.
I took the opportunity of asking about Cardinal Tien. Mon- signor Tardini said, rather briefly, that the Cardinal was trying to get back to Chim from Hong Kong, but was finding it difficult.
..only.
Cardinal Tien is the high prelate behind the Iron Curtain who has deserted his post, and I have heard from various sources that neither he, nor the Chinese Catholics in general, have the same grit in adversity as, for instance, the Japanese Catholics. The Holy See regards it as a primary duty of its clergy, both high and low, to stick to its flock whatever the circumstances, so it can't be very pleased at this flow of Chinese clergy out of China. I understand, however, that the European Catholic clergy in Ching are on the whole, sticking it out manfully. It looks as if, in this case, the Vatican's policy of fostering wherever possible a native
The hierarchy and clergy was got the success it ought to be. policy, however, is clearly a good one in principle, and the Vatican are not likely to be discouraged from it by the failure of the human element in China.
J.W. Russel, Esq.,
Western Department,
Foreign Office.
(Sgd.) J.S. SOMERS COCKS