like ours should have to seek a ruling
in this manner on a question which has
so little practical importance. We
should be glad to know whether the
Chinese Government agree to such a
reference. Pending the decision of the
Court, we would propose either (a) to
maintain the status quo in the area or
(b) to proceed with the proposal for a
Garden of Remembrance and we should like be prepared to consider any
to have the views of the Chinese Govern-
have
ніва
ment on these two alternatives.
Under
the first alternative the huts which
have been re-erected in the area since
the 12th January would be allowed to
remain and the persons living in them
would not be disturbed, but no new huts
would be permitted. No action would be
taken by the Hong Kong Government within
the area unless events therein created
an immediate danger to public law and
order or health, e.g. an epidemic of
cholera. Under the second alternative
it would of course be necessary to clear
the area as a preliminary to converting
it into a Garden of Remembrance.
Whichever alternative is adopted we
sincerely hope that the Chinese Govern-
ment would accept the necessity for any
administrative measures which the Hong
Kong Government might have to take in
the area pending the Court's decision,
and would take active steps to ensure
that such measures were not made the
subject of public agitation in China.
Further