OUTWARD TELEGRAM.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
21
COPY FOR REGISTRATION,
Cypher (0.T.P.)
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
RECEIVED
21 ARM WOU COLUNIAL OFFICE
Sent 19th April 1950. 12.30 hrs.
No. 558 Confidential.
Following from Peking to F.0. No. 335 of
17th April repeated Hong Kong No. 51.
Begins.
Hong Kong telegram No. 35 to me.
Nationalist soldiers.
94003/4/50
I suggest that I explain the position to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on basis of paragraphs 1 and 2 of telegram under reference and enlist their aid in returning troops to a North China port or even possibly to Canton.
2. I group omitted there is a good chance that Chinese Government will agree and co-operate since it is probably to their advantage to do so. Approach will also in itself be a practical demonstration of our sincerity and of our desire to have relations with them on basis of equality and mutual respect which may have a favourable effect on atmosphere of my discussions here.
3. As you know I was reluctant at first to take up with the Chinese Government matters outside the scope of preliminary and procedural discussions. Lapse of time and the successful intervention over the Anking and on behalf of the Americans have led me to revise this.
4。 I suggest meanwhile your small experimental shipments be held in abeyance.
5. Before I approach the Chinese Government I shall need to know what will be done with the Nationalist soldiers who do not want to be shipped to a northern port.
Ends.
Circulated to:-
Secretary of State
Mr. Webber
Sir T. Lloyd
Mr. T. F. Cook
Sir C. Jeffries
Sir H. Poynton
Mr. Gorell Barnes Mr. Eastwood
Mr. A. R. Thomas
Mr. Galsworthy Mr. Bennett Brig. Johnson Colonial Attache
Mr. Bigg
Accounts Branch
Mr. Davies
Rm. 445
Rm. 440
Mr. Hall.
Mr. Sidebotham
Mr. Paskin
Mr. J. D. Anderson
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