82
DIEL
(F527/376/G).
Dear Cushur Anthur
Foreign Office,
S.W.1.
28th January, 1947.
I understand it to be your wish that the Far Eastern (Official) Committee should proceed with their paper on Hong Kong which has been in preparation for some time, and that you are in particular anxious that there should be some statement in public which would reassure both people here and in Hong Kong about the future status of the Colony.
The question of Hong Kong is closely bound up with our relations with China, and these in their turn must be considered in relation to the American attitude towards China. The appointment of General Marshall as Secretary of State after his experience in China may affect the official United States outlook, and until I have met General Marshall and have ascertained his views about China I would much prefer that we should not become involved in consideration of the Hong Kong problem. If we were to engage in discussions about Hong Kong with the Chinese Government at a time when the United States might be contemplating a change in their policy towards China, this would be likely to operate to our disadvantage.
On the question of a public statement, though such a statement would no doubt do much to reassure the public, there is on the other hand the distinct possibility that the Chinese might feel impelled to increase their pressure in order to show that they do not accept our view about Hong Kong. In spite therefore of the advantages which may derive from a public statement, I think on balance it would be better to remain silent.
A. Creech-Jones, Esq., M.P.,
Colonial Office.
In/
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