J
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
Cypher(0.T.P,)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A, Grantham)
MOST IMMEDIATE.
No. 173 Secret.
D. 12th February, 1948.
12th
11.40 hrs,
176
Addressed to 8. of 9.
Repeated to British Ambassador Nanking, (?No.48),
Your telegram No. 208.
136A
129.
129
Nanking telegram No. 149 to the Foreign Office,
Kowloon City.
I do not (repeat not) like the suggestion in paragraph 2 of Ambassador's telegram No. 140 to the Foreign Office. If it is not (repeat not) possible to secure ( 3 corrupt groups) agreement of the Chinese Government to proposal in Foreign Office telegram to Ambassador No. 115 (which I regard as doubtful), then I support the proposal in paragraph 7 of Ambassador's telegram for a Joint Committee custodian. Committee should operate (corrupt group) the Hong Kong Govern- ment for maintenance of law and order and sanitation of the Garden. Otherwise, control of the Garden should be jointly and not (repeat not) severally. This would prevent meetings being held without the approval of the British representative. Otherwise there is danger that political meetings of undesirable character might be held in the Garden. The Garden should be financed by the two Governments.
2, As regards release of the two man, I suggest that the Chinese Minister be informed that, if agreement on the Garden proposal is secured, I would as act of grace remit balance of sentence on the date of publication of the joint statement. Provided that their conduct in prison continues good, they are in any case due for release on the 16th March,
3 So far as Hong Kong is concerned, any solution will stand or fall by terme of the joint statement by which it is amounced. It will be scanned by local Chinese only with a view to ascertaining whether China has publicly drawn back from the sovereignty issue, To the population of this Colony, all else will be immaterial. I presume I shell have tho opportunity of seeing draft statement before it is finalised,
4e I trust it will be borne in mind that even if agreement is reached, there will remain the problem of physica). removal of squatters still on the spot. It would be well so ensure that the Chinese Government have the meang at their command to deal with this difficulty.
5. I had thought of suggesting an inter-allisd Committee of Control, but that would let in the U.S.S.R. which 18 clearly undesirable.
* Correction being obtained.
Copy sent to:
Poreign Office
Hr. A.L. Scott.