CO537-2187 — Page 19

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The Russians weed be fraught with this

J.CZ.

Mr. Seel

You should see the latest developments outlined in my minute of the 19th February. Mr. Kitson, of the Foreign Office, told me last Friday that Mr. Bevin's reply to the Secretary of State's letter of the 4th February was then being typed. He did not, however, say whether Mr. Bevin had actually approved the draft which he (Mr. Kitson) had put up

see my minute of the 19th February.

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24/2/47

I have attached to this file a Press cutting from the "Scotsman", referring to reports that General Marshall intends, at the Moscow meeting, to seek an overall agreement on Far Eastern issues with the Soviet Government and is prepared to suggest that the "Big Three" should cease to recognise China as a great power until a Central Government of national unity is formed.

If there is any basis for this Press report and General Marshall is going to raise Far Eastern issues at Moscow on the lines indicated, this might provide an opportunity for Mr. Bevin to mention the possibility of our making a statement concerning Hong Kong within the near future, and getting the United States and Russian reactions. If this is agreed, perhaps the Secretary of State would be prepared to raise the point with Mr. Bevin before the latter leaves for Moscow.

I take it that if there is to be any detailed discussion of the Hong Kong

question