(13)
Cypher/OTP.
22
DEPARTMENTAL
FROM NANKING TO FOR IN OFFICE.
Sir R. Stevenson. No. 48,
15th January, 1948.
Repeated to Hong Kong.
IMMEDIATE.
LIGHT
D. 2.10 p.m. 15th January, 1948.
R. 2.30 p.m. 15th January, 1948.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No, 48, of 15th January, repeated to Hong Kong.
My telegram No. 44.
Chine se press is becoming increasingly violent over the Kowloon incident. Nanking Central Daily News of January 14th states "Kowloon incident is an act of violence showing British contempt for the Chinese people which is arousing the fury of the whole nation". Paper goes on to state that before the incident took place the Chinese Government lodged several representations with the British Ambassador in China and that the British Government must therefore have been fully informed. It should have stopped the Governor General from carrying out the evacuation. To take unilateral action while the problem was still under negotiation was a mistake. Ta Kang Pao warns that the Kowloon incident is likely to produce serious situation. Paper declares that the whole nation is solidly behind the Chinese Government. "In case the British refuse to accept our collaboration we should consider some effective action to defend our sovereignty as citizens. Meantime, if necessary we should make representations for the recovery of Hong Kong and Kowloon as a whole". Nanking [grp. undec.] Daily points out that the Kowloon incident is no longer a local affair. It has become an issue between Great Britain and China and will affect relations between the two countries, Shanghai Pao en Pao urges His Majesty's Government to make every effort to prevent conditions being aggravated. Both Nanking and Canton press have studiously refrained from printing the Hong Kong Government version of the incident.
2. Incident is no longer "leader" story in today's Nanking press. On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs us that numerous organisations both political and student are protesting strongly to the Chinese Government and demanding action.
3. A small and unimpressive demonstration by some Nanking students took place outside this Embassy this afternoon, Demonstrators left a letter of protest.
4. This morning the Head of the Europe an Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaking with the Counsellor under instructions from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, made it clear in a friendly conversation
/that