TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM.
DESPATCHED BY 0.T.P.
246
OZ 1393 TOO 15151CZ TOD 151630Z
From
:
Ministry of Defence, London.
To
G. H.Q. Far East Land Forces.
COSSEA 649
15th. Juno, 1948.
For FEDSEC for British Dofence Co-ordination
Committee from Chiofs of Staff.
Roference SEACOS 851. (234)
Chinese request_for_jurisdiction of Kowloon City has been referred to Law Officers who so first reaction is that if takon to International Court, our case would be good but not cast iron.
2.
Meanwhile in further discussions, Chinosc Ambassador has put forward compromiso solution text of which is in our immediately following telegram.
3.
(247)
While compromiso solution is not free from military objection, Ministers considor it morits consider- ation as this is first indication of Chinese compromiso attitudo and as Law Officers may find our case not as strong as thought at first.
4.
Govornor, Hong Kong is being consulted by Colonial Office and we would liko also to have carly comments of British Defence Co-ordination Committee on the now Chinoso proposals.
5.
Colonial Offico tolograms concerned are being
ropoated to Mr. MacDonald.
CIRCULATION.
D.C.O.R.
Foreign Offico.
First Sca Lord.
Message Control, War Offico.
Registry Telegrams, Air Ministry. Chief of Combined Operations Staff. Lt. Col. Leisching, Colonial Office.
TOO 151510Z