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Cypher/OTP

POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Sir R.Stevenson,

No.64

18th January, 1948.

Repeated to Hong Kong.

IMMEDIATE

D. 9.57 a.m. 18th January, 1948.

R. 11,00 a.m, 18th January, 1948.

Addressed to the Foreign Office telegram No.64 of 18th January, repeated to Hong Kong.

LIGHT

My telegram No.62,

Up to the present I have received no (repeat no) written communication from Minister for Foreign Affairs expressing regret for the Canton incident. It is indeed clear from Chinese press reactions that there is a refusal on the part of the Chinese to recognise the enormity of the outrage committed against a friendly nation. It is essential in my opinion that this should be brought home to them without loss of time.

2.I therefore request you to authorise me urgently to present a note to the Chinese Government demanding:

(1) full compensation for all British property

destroyed,

(2) public enquiry to establish (a) identity of organisation and participants of the attack and (b) reasons for failure to prevent it as well as punishment of all persons responsible and

(3) some form of flag hoisting ceremony in Canton.

You will note from my telegram No.56 that the British flag was hauled down before the Consulate General was set alight. I consider that it is essential that some form of public reparations should be made for this insult.

3. Action suggested above should not of course prejudice continuance of negotiations for settlement of the Kowloon incident [gp.vndec.? which should be] treated separately from the Canton affair.

QQQQ