CO537-3705 — Page 128

78

This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on].

Cypher/OT?

POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Sir R. Stevenson No. 79

D. 1.06 p.m. 21st January, 1948

21st January, 1948.

R. 1.44 p.m. 21st January, 1948

?

IMPORTANT

SECRET

Following received from Canton telegram No. 6 of January 19th.

Begins].

British/ship) Hall.

I called on Doctor Soong this morning and requested explanation why reinforcements arrived so late. He stated he was sure it was due to incompetence and not intention. I replied I could not understand difficulty. He anticipates further trouble when further Kowloon ships call as do other Chinese. To avoid second incident I asked him to prepare in advance and he informed me that there are now 40 gendarmes and 70 police on Shamoon. He is naturally anxious to prevent anti-British feeling becoming also anti-Government although I question whether anti-British feeling is at present very deep. I made a point of flying the Union Jack this morning from the car and stopped en route to make purchases without signs of hostility although their own buses still have anti-British slogans which I have asked to be removed. What occurs here will probably

depend on what occurs in the next few days.

0000