claiming that Hong Kong Government had no *jurisdiction over them, Case will be heard again on #12th January.
5.
Mr. T.W. Kwok came to see me on 7th January to lodge a protest against the evictions. He said it was an infringement of Chinese sovereignty and that the Hong Kong Government's action showed that it did not care for Anglo-Chinese friendship. I told him I resented that remark, He also stated that the Government action was inhuman, but I pointed out that alternative site had been offered, but the offer had not been taken up. He also protested against the arrest of the two men. I replied that they would be tried by a Magistrate in the usual way, Finally he referred to notices carried by the Police during eviction stating that if the people resisted them they would be shot.
It is true that legal notices were taken to the scene for use in case of need, but they were not prominently displayed, It is unfortunate that they were seen, but the Police had gone prepared for any eventuality.
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Press release (see my immediately following telegram) gives you material to answer the accusations in second paragraph of your telegram No. 12. (?With regard to) the case of house allegedly in (?existence for many years being destroyed (it was pulled down not burned), I am having the matter investigated. The evicted people had ample time to find new accommodation and some Chinese organizationa are supplying food and money to relieve them, but this largely for propaganda purposes, I do not understand the statement that this Government had received no representations, Kwok has seen me a number of times and protested, but I had not received your telegram No. 7 when he came to consult me on 7th January, I am arranging for Public Relations Officer to let it be known that representations have been made.
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Public Relations Officer will also state at press conference on 12th January that this Government proposes to carry out plan which it has under consideration before the war of making a park out of the area in question. George Bendigo (who saw me on 10th January) and Kwok have mentioned this matter to me. They suggested that it might be named Chung Sen Park, This idea has possibilities. Yeh's other suggestion that Chinese Government might contribute is less attractive. I shall telegraph you again shortly on the park idea.
*Corrections received 13th January, 1948.
Copy sent to:-
Foreign Office
だめ
Mr. A.L. Scott.
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