On the 10th January, 1948, on the occasion of a further interview with Your Excellency I pressed for the release of the two residents under arrest, and stated that to avoid further aggravating the situation, no forcibles measures in any form be pursued by the Hong Kong Government,
On 12th January, 1948, once again armed Hong Kong police marched into Kowloon Walled City, opened fire on the residents, threw tear gas bombs, pulled down all shelters and left behind casualties. The responsibility for inhumanity and diaregard of friendship and tresty obligations as displayed on this occasion must be borne by the Hong Kong Government,
I hereby lodge with Your Excellenor a strong protest against the action of the Hong Kong police on the 12th January, 1948, and I request that pending settlement of this issue between the two Goverments, the Hong Kong Government ref rains from further police action in Kowloon Walled City.
I am to state that the Chinese Government refuse to recognise as legal any measures taken by the Hong Kong Goverment in contravention of the Peking Convention 1898. Bind so
To Kwok dated 16th January,
begins;-
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 37/086 of 13th January, 1918, on the subject of Rowloca City squatters, and in reply to infom you that I reject your contention that the Government of Hong Kong has in any way acted in contravention of the Peking Convention 1898.
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On the occasion of interviews to which you refeF in opening paragraph of your letter, you will recall that I made it plear that if a different interpretation was put on that Convention by the Government of China, the matter was one for discussion between that Government and His Majesty's Government, I derived the impression that you shared this view and appreciated that meanwhile public health must be protected and public order preserved, As I informed you in our conversation of 13th January, your fellure to make the above position clear to those affected by public health measures necessary in Kowloon City leaves you in my view withs a major responsibility for the regrettable incident of the morning of the 12th January,
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I categorically reject the implication in your letter concerning the bonduct of this Government or of its officers, In no case did any police officer fire at the crowd. In this connection I dnvite your attention to the public statement issued by this Government in the press 021 11th and 13th of this month,. In particular I again draw your attention to the fact that prior to 5th January alternative sitce were offered Free to those required to move, This offer 19 still opene The police took such actions on the occasion of the 5th January and 12th January as were necessary to carry out their lawful duty. I am unable to Bocede to your request that they should do otherwise in future,
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I welcome your assurance that your Qoverument attach importance to the existing friendly relationship between Hong Kong and China. You may rest assured that C will do all in my power to foster that relationship. Corrections received 27th Jammary.
Ende.
Copy sent $0:=
Foreign Option
Mz. Aula Scott,