1.
We have to consider X at (17)
2.
Please see Mr.Radford's minute of 3/1.
3. Since this matter was last considered in the Colonial Office, resulting in the Secretary of State's minute of 22/6/48, there have in fact been two statements by Ministers in the House of Commons about H.M. G.'s policy regarding Hong Kong which, in assurance of our intention to stay there, go far beyond anything previously said since the war. These statements are:-
(i) by Mr. Rees Williams on 7/7/48. This gave an
assurance that there is no change contemplated in the status of Hong Kong as a Crown Colony
(ii)
-
see (9)
by Mr. Mayhew on 10/12/48. This said that it is the intention of H. M. G. to maintain their position in Hong Kong - see (15).
Either of these statements really goes quite as far as what our Memorandum to the Cabinet in 1947 (never submitted) was asking for see suggested P. Q. and Answer at Annex V to (104) on the 1947 file.
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When therefore we saw (17) with its emphasis on the need for a public and unequivocal statement that H. M. G. is determined "to maintain its position in Hong Kong" (Mr. Mayhew's very words), we assumed that the Governor could not have seen Mr. Mayhew's
statement and we forthwith sent off a copy (see 19).
5. But now see (20), just discovered in a copy of the "Far Eastern Economic Review" for the 15th December, which shows that Mr. Mayhew's statement was noted in Hong Kong immediately it was made.
The question is therefore what more does the Governor want?
The only differences between what has been said and what the Governor says ought to be said are that Mr.Mayhew used the word "intention", whereas the Governor would have preferred "determination", and the Governor would add the words "come what may".
Now it has been agreed that, since Hong Kong cannot be defended against attack by a major power in occupation of the Chinese Mainland, it should be regarded as a undefended port so far as fixed defences are concerned. It is therefore envisaged that in certain circumstances Hong Kong could not be defended. Therefore to talk of maintaining our position "come what may" savours of the empty boast.
6. It will be noted that (20), while welcoming Mr. Mayhew's statement and recognising it as the a statement of policy, wants to see practical measures giving effect to it. I wonder if in reality the Governor's attitude is not similar
i. e.
it is really the practical measures he would like to show the people. The statement is after all quite clear
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Itwe.