CO537-2192 — Page 19

the

The Ecolein Sept

and

Secretary of State.

Normally we should clear this with the Foreign Office before submitting it to you. But I am not certain whether your minute of the 20th of February last (flagged X on this file) is to be taken as meaning that you would wish/more drastic and overt course of action against the "Kuomintang" to be taken in Hong Kong. That was advocated by Sir Mark Young and there was considerable support for his views from H.M., Ambassador in Nanking (see No. 26). But the Foreign Office, after discussion with Sir A. Grantham, now agree that the Hong Kong Government should go. more slowly, confining itself to surveillance of the activities of the Kuomintang and to counteract them in such ways as the expulsion of individual members of the organisation when it can be shown that the activities of those individuals are definitely detrimental to the maintenance of law and order in Hong Kong.

This is, I think, the right line to take in present circumstances. The draft asks the new Governor to report further in 6 months, but leaves it - open to him to come back again at an earlier date should he consider that to be desirable.

May we have your authority to put this draft to the Foreign Office?

The. Llond

25.7.47.

I think in wh the nisam this in right

though if the Kuomintang of an intimadestion

viorem in soy king or theater chose rýbé co the clustion, or make postul rissietten for in morne the matter samme may have

L

Aud. 28

MR. Maykay

You will wish to see this. I thought it

might be as well & incorporate in the draft letter to MR. Kitson, now submitted, the

substance of the S.JS's minute.

An Salou my

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