Secretariat file No: 1170/475.
SAVINGRAM
17
To The Secretary of State for the Colonies.
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date 107 May, 1948.
South East Asia.
(R) British Embassy, Nanking. No: 2/
Consul General, Canton. Commissioner General,
No:40
No:144
No. 30
SECRET
54225/148
4
Following is a political appreciation for Hong Kong
for the two weeks ending May 3rd, 1948.
1.
The meeting of the National Assembly in Nanking has been denounced by Marshal Li Chai-Sum, Chairman of the K.M.T. Revolutionary Committee, and by General Tsi Ting-kai of the Democracy Promotion Association in Hong Kong, as a puppet Assembly. A statement issued locally on May 3rd by the K.M.T. Revolutionary Committee declared that the Committee would never recognise any decision passed by the Assembly, including any legislative and executive measures and any treaty signed with foreign countries by the Government created by the Assembly. It said also that the President and Vice-President elected by the Assembly could not be recognised by the people. The pro-Communist newspaper "Hwa Shiang Pao" has been equally critical. It is learnt that Marshal Li Chai-Sum has sent a message to Dr. T.V. Soong stating that he saw no prospect of the Nanking Regime defeating the Communists, and that the only thing to do was to cooperate with the Communists, which he proposed to do.
2.
The students' unrest in Peking, and the measures taken against them by the Government, have called forth a spate of statements from Leftwing elements in the Colony denouncing Nanking's brutal suppression of students' movements. The Leftist press has also described as a brutal massacre the case of four Chinese youths from British Territory, who crossed the border into Chinese territory and are reported to have been arrested by Chinese troops as Communist spies and summarily executed. It seems true that the four youths have been executed. Enquiries are proceeding to ascertain whether the charges of Communism have any substance.
3.
The announcement by the U.K. Government regarding adjustment of Hong Kong war costs has been greeted with mixed feelings. There has been no reaction as yet regarding the announcement that interest-free loans up to £3,000,000 to construct a modern airport would be made. No Chinese newspaper has yet sought to interpret this as an indication of intention with regard to the future of Hong Kong.
40
Kowloon City remains quiet. The complete cessation of relief contributions is leading to the breaking up of the so called "Kowloon City Residents Association", which represented the hard core of squatters.
Limaß
2 1 MAY 1948
GY