CO537-3705 — Page 232

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INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

COPY FOR REGISTRATION

PROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

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

14.20 hrs.

JUST IMMEDIATE

No. 60.

13

X Xu

1943

W HI

29

A

IN REG

IA IN

ΠΛ

IA

RECEIVED

Add ressed British Ambassador Nanking No. 21. Repeated Foreign Office London.

Following from British Consul Canton.

Begins,

17th. British Consul General's building and Butterfield and Swire's and part of the Chartered Bank and Jardine Matheson's completely burnt out by mob out of control from 13.00 to 16.00 hours on 16th, although at 13.30 I had spoken to the Chief of Police over the telephone and asked for reinforcements, Some confusion may have been caused by troops having been sent elsewhere to supervise the main procession, I saw Dr. Soong two hours previously, who informed me that he was keeping the procession away from Shameen. He called upon me yesterday evening to apologise and stated that full compensation would be paid. Sixteen Hitish women and children left by special plane this morning for Hong Kong. I am moving Consulate into Hong Kong Bank building but all records are destroyed although cypher safe remains unopened. Total casualties appear to be only four with head wounds, probably not serious. An hour before the procession arrived in Shameen, I drove jeep with the Union Jack on myself across the town and met parts of the procession without incident but there is little doubt that attack on the Consulate was very well organised and not spontaneous. Hob numbered many thousands. Hong Kong Airways are at present continuing services. Hall.

Copies sent to:-

Foreign Office

1 b

Ends.

Mr. A.L. Scott.

Mr. Dering.