CO537-3705 — Page 186

BY HAND

54.145/16/48

Colonial Office,

Church House,

Great Smith Street,

S.W.1.

20th January, 1943.

(B)

(C)

Dear Scarlett,

Hong Kong - Kowloon Evictions

As arranged yesterday, I enclose our

suggestions for the reply to the passage in the Chinese Minister'a representations, criticising the action of the Government of Hong Kong and asking that instructions should be given to that Government to refrain from taking any further action in respect of Kowloon City. We have assumed, for the purpose of this note, that a detailed reference is being made in the reply to the activities of the Chinese newspaper, the "National Times", and of the magistrate of the Po-On district.

We should be very grateful if we could see the proposed reply to the Chinese Ambassador in draft.

I also enclose the draft of a telegram which we propose to send to Hong Kong on the lines agreed yesterday afternoon. Would you very kindly let me know whether you have any comments on it and confirm that you would wish it to be repeated to Nunking?

We have already sent a telegram, as promised yesterday, enquiring about the casualties.

Yours sincerely,

P.M.S.Y. SCARLETT. ESQ.

(N.L. Mayle)