CO537-3705 — Page 276

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Cypher/OTP

DEPARTMENTAL

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Sir R. Stevenson

No. 24

8th January, 1948.

D. 2.48 p.m. 8th January, 1948.

R. 3.25 p.m. 8th January, 1948.

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 12 repeated to Foreign Office.

My telegram No. 7.

Kowloon evictions.

I have received further oral representations from the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs who transmitted a

gp.omitted] from the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the effect that he was concerned about the situation and feared that "radical elements" in Canton might use these evictions as an excuse for making trouble. He has heard that student demonstrations are planned for next Sunday in Canton.

2. Chinese newspaper reports state that [gp.undec.] persons arrested for inciting the crowd are still in prison, that among houses destroyed by Hong Kong authorities is one that has been in existence for eighty years (owner being turned out of it) and that people evicted are wandering about the streets without shelter. It is also stated that Hong Kong Government have received no representations from the Chinese Government. (I think this point rankles a good deal). Minister for Foreign Affairs is disturbed by these reports and asked me to draw the attention of the Hong Kong Government to the humanitarian side of the problem as well as to the desirability of not exacerbating the situation.

3.

The Vice-Minister added that a written protest is on the way to me but in the meanwhile he would be grateful if I would renew the Chinese Government's representations by telegram.

4. It is clear that the question is being artificially hotted up by the press along the usual lines but I do not think the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are behind it. They give the impression of being nervous about laying themselves open to criticism. I would be glad of material with which to dispose of the accusations contained in the second paragraph. I presume that whatever is possible is being done to relieve distress among those evicted.

111.