CO537-3705 — Page 195

INWARD TELEGRAM

AMENDED COPY (corrections underlined on both pages)

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

a

Coda

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FROM HONG KONG (G17 A, Grantham)

D. 17th January, 1948. R. 17th

Re

Bo. 65 Confidential,

77

100. And is my name than 15

My telegram No. 50,

Kowloon (163.

14.20 hrs.

Following is text or lotters exchanged by T.. Kwok

and myself,

From Kwok dated 13th January,

Begins.

Since the issue by Hong Kong authorities of a notice last November regerding demolition of struqtures within Kowloom Wallod City, I have called on Your Excellency on 29th November, the 2nd December, the 17th Desember and 23rd December, 1947 and on each occasion reminded Your Excellency that on the basis of the Peking Convention 1898, the Chinese Government have never valved jurisdiction over Kowloon Walled City, and that in a statement lasted In September, 1946, both by the Ministry of Foreign Affaire and by this office, the stand of the Chinese Government regarding this matter has been clearly defined,

At the same time, on more than one occasion during the above mentioned interviews. I have stated that the Chinese Government attach importance to the maintenance and furthering of the existing friendly relationship between the British and Chinese end also between the Hong Kong Goverment and Chinese residente here and that we invite the Hong Kong Government to adopt the samo view. I also stated that it would be segagious for the Hong Kong Government not to pursue any foroible measures which may affect an amicablo aettlement of this issue,

Notwithstanding my representatione, in the early hours of the 5th January, 1942, armed Hong Kong police suddenly marched into Kowloon Walled City, forcibly demolished structures there and arrested two of the maidonta, No provision was made by the Hong Kong Government for necessary relief. Following this incident, I have again oel led on Your Excellency on the 7th January, 1948, lodged a strong protest against this action, regeprod all rights to claimu for indemnities and demanded:

that the Hong Kong Government assumes Toll responsibility for the forcible demolition of the structures within Kowloon Walled City;

(2) that the Hong Kong Government provides immediate reller for the hamstoes even from humanitarian point of view:

that the Hong Kong Government effects an immedjato release of the two residents arrested, namely, Chu Pui-Tong and Lau Ngeld-Pu; and

(4) that the Hong Kong Government restores as an initial, step those structures which were on lapi substantiated by deed.

/On

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