CO537-1657 — Page 32

20

(!)

(19)

[The text of this telegram must first be paraphrased if

communicated to persons outside British or United States Government service or if retransmitted in a cypher system other than 0.T.P.]

Cypher

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Sir R. Stover son No. 552

24th September, 1946 Repeated to Hong Kong

D. 3.40 p.m. 24th September 1946 R. 12.20 à.m. 25th September 1946

eeeeeee

I read Hong Kong telegram No.1084 to Colonial Office and saving telegram referred to in paragraph 5 thereof as indicating that, as not infrequently happens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have allowed themselves to be put into a false position by party of hot-heads, Intervention by the Minister for Foreign Affairs himself see my telegram No.64 to Hong Kong) seems to show dis- inclination to allow the [gp. undec.] of a new campaign about Hong Kong. Position of Hong Kong Government has been made clear both in the communiqué and to Mr.. Kwok. In these circumstances I would be in favour of waiting to see whether the press agitation, which has died down, is renewed before deciding whether to take up the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially..