CO537-1651 — Page 100

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hob in Gong Kong a person who, ould be acceptable to this overment end the local chinese populace, and who would ork

proper relation of subordination to the diplomatic repre- asntative of the Chinese Jovernment here who should be properly appointed and necredited as such in the regular munner, and no tould be expected to conform to the standerd of behaviour generally followed according to international usage by consuler representatives abroad. Any change in te Govern: ent of China which might seriously impair the influence of the Kuomintang in that Government would undoubtedly werken materially the influence of the Kuomintang in Hong Kong; but the strength of other parties here might grow in proportion and give rise to no less difficult problemu, Or if the United States of Amerion saw a value for themselves in the British retention of Hong Kon as a place from which they might conduct their trade with Chinel in conditions such as have already disappeared from China itself they might use their influence with a majority Kuomintang Government of China to secure that the Kuomintang did not achieve the disappearence of such conditions from tiong Tony ale 19.

In conclusion I might mention that the rivalries betwe the Kuomintang and the opposing Chinese political parties in Hong Kong have, insofar as non-Chinese take sides with the vurious protagonists, assumed the aspect of a minor religious war, since general doctrinaire leanings towards or away from Communism on the part of religious bodies tend to produce allegiance to the side which is in sympathy towards or opposed to the Chinese Communists. This is not unimportant in a place like Hong Kong on which large missionery organisations are based, and tends to heighten rivalries and the tension of

feeling.

:

sd. i. Megarry.

Acting Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

27.11.46.

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