CHINA
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referred the matter to the Special Delegate stationed in Canton and the foregoing report has now been received.
I have the honour to observe that it is evident that the residents in question are not yet willing to accept removal within a definite time limit, and that as Kou-Shih-Ling (Kau Shut Ling) and Ya-Ch'ien-Wei are both outside Kowloon City the residents if forced to remove will still inevitably incur the hardship which attaches to homeless persons. I have therefore the honour to refer to the numerous notes and telegrams sent by this Ministry and to request that your Excellency will without delay request the Hong Kong Government to, cancel or suspend the original decision for the enforced removal of the residents of Kowloon City, thus giving peace to the people and strengthening friendly relations.
I have further the honour to request the favour of a reply.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.
Stamp Signature of Chang Ch'un.
F 676/221/10/1937
(Seal of Ministry for Foreign Affairs.)
Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs to His Majesty's Embassy Nanking. (Received 4th December, 1936)
26th November, 1936.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs had the honour in connexion with the enforced removal by the Government of Hong Kong of residents of Kowloon City, to address a Note to His Majesty's Embassy on 26th October last requesting that the Hong Kong authorities be urged to cancel or suspend the original decision for the residents' removal, as is on record.
The Ministry have now the honour to inform His Majesty's Embassy that they have received the following further telegram from the Ministry's Special Delegate stationed in Kwangtung and Kwangsi
"According to an oral report made by the representatives of the residents of Kowloon City, the Government of Hong Kong is again forcing the residents to accept removal indemnities, and has designated the close of this year as the time-limit within which removal is to be completed, and the residents request that the matter be taken up (with the British authorities) without delay and brought to a stop.
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I have approached His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton and asked him to request the Government of Hong Kong to desist from its action, and I have accordingly the honour to report to the above effect."
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs have repeatedly raised objections to this project, but from the fact that the Government of Hong Kong is still persisting in its intention, it would seem that due consideration has not been given to treaty provisions, to friendly international feeling, and to the people's liberty of residence. The Ministry have accordingly the honour to invite the attention of His Majesty's Embassy to the matter and to express the hope that the latter will, in order to strengthen good relations (between the two countries), approach the Government of Hong Kong without delay and urge upon it the absolute necessity of radically cancelling or of suspending the original decision for removal.
The favour of a reply is requested.
(Stamp of Ministry for Foreign Affairs.)
F 676/221/10/1937
Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs to His Majesty's Ambassador, Nanking Dear Sir Hughe,
2nd December, 1936.
I take the liberty of addressing you on the subject of the status of Chinese residents in the Kowloon City. First of all, allow me to refer to Dr. Lo Wen-kan's note to Sir Miles Lampson dated 27th July, 1933, the latter's reply dated 6th August, 1933, Mr. Wang Ching-wei's telegram to Sir Alexander Cadogan dated 26th June, 1934, the British Legation's memorandum dated 14th August, 1934, the Ministry's memorandum dated 7th September, 1934, Sir Alexander's note to Mr. Wang dated 5th August, 1935, General Chang Chun's note to your