}
Cypher/OTP
DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1
FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
D. 10.15 a.m. 10th December, 1947.
Sir R. Stevenson No. 1136
10th December, 1947.
R.
1.25 p.m. 10th December, 1947.
Repeated to: Foreign Office
Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 336 of December 10th; repcated to Foreign Office.
SECRET
(1)
Your telo gran No. 1859 to Secretary of State for Colonics.
Eviction order Kowloon city.
The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs sent for member of His Majesty's Embassy Doccnber 8th and, referring to extracts from the local pross on the subject, said that the eviction order throatonod to disturb Anglo-Chinese relations unless handled tactfully and quickly through diplomatic channels. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs therefore suggested that eviction order should be suspended ponding the study of whether it was necessary under proviso regarding military requirements under Peking Convention (1) 98. If we could prove, however, the necessity for eviction for reasons of public health the Chinese Goverment would like time to study possibility of offering persons affected now quarters ols cwhore.
2. While it is probable that the Minis try of Foreign Affairs genuinely wish to effect aniable settlement and to avoid incident resulting in agitation, their objections scom to bo based upon misinterpretation of Treaty position regarding status of Kowloon city, and it is difficult to see why wo should defor action proposed.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs have since stated that news has been received of arrest of two persons living in Kowloon city, though whether it was in connexion with eviction orders was not certain. They expressed anxiety at this development.
4. On my arrival hore December 8th Central Nows Agency presented to me a list of questions [gp. und ec. ? for] reply, which included reference to this Kowloon issue. As it was not easy to cvade this direct enquiry and as morcover it seemed to be a good opportunity to place the matter in its nore lenient perspective, I am making the following reply:
"I learned while I was in Hong Kong that the Hong Kong
Goverment aftur giving ample warning intend to proceed with the removel of sanc wooden huts which have been illegally orceted in Kowloon. Huts crected by thosG squatters constitute danger to public health and increase the risk of fire. Their removal is a normal
administrative measure taken for the benefit of the public and canot be longer delayed."
I