No. 8/0. 46 (114/1080/48)
ded to:
Hong Kong No. 20. Shanghai No. 43.
Dear Department,
BRITISH EMBASS
NANKING.
1b7
24th January, 1948.
With reference to paragraph 2 of Shanghai despatch No. 27 of January 20th (copied to Foreign Office No. 28), we enclose a copy of a letter from
the Deputy Consul-General at Shanghai reporting on a protest which he received on January 16th from the representatives of eleven universities in Shanghai on the subject of
Kowloon,
2*
This communication presented on behalf of the
universities in Shanghai demands
(a) the unconditional return of Hong
Kong and Kowloon;
(b)
compensation for the losses incurred by the residents of Kowloon City;
and
(c)
the cessation of the demolitions and the release of the two former residents of Kowloon City who have been imprisoned,
It goes on to say that if we are unable to give an immediate and satisfactory reply, the students will start a nation-wide student movement with the object of promoting a general boycott of British goods and "possibly of all other_7 anti-British measures
•
3.
We have, at the time of writing, received four similar communications from other student bodies,
These are on the same including one in Manchuria. general lines, but vary in the extent of their demands.
A.
All these protests bear the clear marks of Kuo Min Tang inspiration. We do not consider that the threats of a boycott and other measures need be taken very seriously at present, though it is admittedly difficult at a time like this to say how far the anti-British feeling aroused is the result of agitation and how far a consequence of the total lack of sympathy of the vast majority of educated Chinese with us in
This has been anything to do with Hong Kong. demonstrated with particular force in the very hostile and unfair attitude adopted towards us in regard to the Kowloon City affair by the "ra Kung Pao" which, generally speaking, is very friendly to Britain.
We are sending copies of this letter to Hong Kong and Shanghai for information.
5.
China Department,
Foreign Office,
LONDON, S、W.1.
Yours ever,
CHANCERY.