INWARD
TELEGRAM
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
AMENDED COPY
Cypher (.T. P.)
Amendments # underlined
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
D. 17th January, 1948,
મ
R*
176h
MOST IMMEDIATE
No. 67 Beoreh
13.35 hrs.
526145716
31
Addressed to the S. of S.
Repeated to the British Ambassador Nanking No.22, and a savingram to Consul General Canton
الله
Your telegram No. 74
Kowloon City.
Previous to receipt of your telegram, I had issued instructions to 231 concerned to exercise care to avoid any incidents calculated to aggravate the situation. Desirability of continued restraint fully understood.
2>
The situation in the Colony is unchanged, and those is thus far no (repeat ao) evidence of reaction from the Canton affair likely to lead to local disorder.
3.
In responsible circles in the Colony itself Europeans are watching every move closely. Great significence will certainly be attached to H.M. Government's reaction to the Canton outrage and to Kowloon City negotiations with which it is inextricably linked in all minde. I may mention
that at this morning's apecial meeting of the Executive Council Chinese member raised directly the question of Britain's intentions in regard to future sovereignty of Hong Kong-
4.
I am not (repeat not) in favour of Chinese Minister's Agent inaking Kowloon City a custome station,
My Advisere share my view that a settlement on these linee would be interpreted as a complete surrender in local syon by H.M. Goverment to China, Kowloon City la, moreovor, fitted neither by topography nor dimensions for the purpose proposed.
54
I have already instructed Heathcote Smith in Nanking to suggest to H.M. Ambassador the desirability of requesting immediate withdrawal from Hong Kong of the National Times, the consistently mischievous and provocative newspaper entirely supported by an official subsidy. All Executive Council this morning wore unanimous that the Ambassador's demand should be extended to include withdrawal from this Colony of Kuomintang and affiliated San Min Cau I Youth Corps. In this connection I (+corrupt group) invite reference to my predecesecr ́s escrot despatch No. 6 or 17th April, 1947. Though not ・ # susceptible
of direct proof, the presence and influence or these organisations in Hong Kong has been responsible, along with Kwok's insptness, for the emergence of Kowloon Óity as a positive lasus, San Min Can I Youth members are reported to have taken a prominent part in yesterday's Canton outbreak and I am at present considering, in consultation with H. M. Ambassador, appropriate action in regard to the National Times, who have recently laid themselves open to a charge of seditione libel in connection with police
/action
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