OUTWARD TELEGRAM
Cypher/OTP
M.E.D. Restricted
No. 30.
FROM FORLIGN OFFICE TO NANKING.
#13th January, 1948.
DEPARTMENTAL
manda dalaga mamamamamamoo Patt
D. 1.00 am. 14th January, 1948.
3.
arched Repeated to Hong Kong No. 90.
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IMMEDIATE * RESTRICTED
Addressed to Nanking, telegram No. 30 of the 15th January repeated for information to Hong Kong.O
Your telegram No. 44 [of 13th January Kowloon evictions].
Chinese Ambassador asked to see Sir 0. Sargent this afternoon, but latter being away he sent his Minister, who made representations on the lines of paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference.
2. Dr. Tuan was told that we had only just received your telegram and were not therefore in a position to give a reply. But the situation as reported in Hong Kong telegrams ending with No. 44 to Colonial Office was described to him, and he was told that it was our impression that agitation was being artificially stimulated over this incident. The Minister was also told of the Governor's reactions to the three assurances requested by Chinese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs as reported in your telegram No. 34.
Dr. Tuan, while confirming that the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs was himself most anxious to avoid any aggravation of this affair, went on to express the view that the action of the Governor of Hong Kong in evicting the squatters had created a political situation which might lead to unfortunate consequences. It was put to Dr. Tuan that there were many incidents in this country of the eviction of squatters to which no major political importance was attached. Was it not the fact that political signifi- cance was being attached to the eviction of the Kowloon squatters by those who sought to stimulate agitation?
4. We were of course aware of the attitude of the Chinese Government towards the question of jurisdiction over Kowloon city. But according to our reports the re was no physical exercise of Chinese jurisdiction over Kowloon city which, except for two buildings, appeared to be derelict. The facts as reported were that the Hong Kong Government had sought to evict squatters for sanitary reasons. The first notice had been given as long ago as 27th November and action had only been taken on 5th January 1948, while alternative accommodation had
been/
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