CO537-2190 — Page 16

DEC 18.-

11 DEC

I

I

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

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ΠΛ ΙΛ

SOFINE!

Cypher (0.T.P.)

COP

IMMEDIATE

No. 1873

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

D. 10th December, 1947. R. 20th

*

n

11.05 hrs.

Adáressed to S. of 8.

Repeated to British Ambassador, Nanking,

No.204.

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by savingram to Consul-General,

Canten.

My telegram No. 1859.

64145/14/41

REGISTRY

IN

Kowloon Walled City.

81tuation is quiet but there are no signs of compliance with the eviction notices. As these notices were served under Section 9 of the Summary Offences Ordinance and not under the Emorgensy Regulations, it is now proposed, instead of taking direct action tomorrow, to have summonses under the Ordinance quoted served on the squatters and let the case be heard by Magistrate in the ordinary way. will allow further time for cooling off but as summonses will be served promptly tomorrow, no room will be left for any suggestion that the Government is abstaining from enforcing its rights.

2.

This

On

Case continues to attract some attention in the European and Chinese press, which alleged this morning that representations to the Ambassador at Nanking had been made by the Chinese Government. 8th December, I received telegram from the British Consul General at Canton, forwarding request from Doctor T.V. Boong for action to be postponed until he had had time to acquaint himself and the local public with the facts. Further telegram received (group omitted 29th) cancelled this requaat. It is now reported that the ringleaders, Chu, Pui, Tong and Chan Chun Chau are going to Canten today. First named, who did not live here before the war, is Chairman of the Association mentioned in paragraph 3 of my telegram under reference (whose name should have been quoted as the Association of Residents of Kowloon City, Pe On District). Second-named active member of the Committee was caught NK on 6th December posting up illegal placards calling upon Kowloon City inhabitants to resist the eviction ordere. He was baken to the nearest Police Station, where it was explained to him that the law forbida the posting of notices which have not been approved by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, but it was not (repeat not) considered necessary to prosecute him and the Police have taken down the illegal notices.

3. Commisaloner of Police does not expect any disturbanca tomorrow, but I will report further after summonses have been served. Copy sent to:- Foreign Office

Me. Als Scott.

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