CO537-3706 — Page 148

2.

(129)

you suggest in your telegram No. 115 would be much the most satisfactory solution of the problem. But it is now clear that the Chinese Government will only accept this solution if they have control of the garden themselves. In these circumstances it seems to me, subject of course to the views of the Governor of Hong Kong, that a garden of remembrance controlled by the Chinese Government would be likely to furnish opportunity for a great deal more trouble in future for Hong Kong authorities than would be the case if the grounds were used for official quarters of the Chinese Government's representative more particularly if the whole area were enclosed as his official garden or compound. Much of course would depend on the wording of the public announcement but I think a solution on the se lines would have advantages such as

(a) that we could make our agreement dependent on Chinese Government accepting responsibility for all compensation

.

(b) that all expenses in connexion with the conversion of the site would have to be met by the Chinese Government and

(c) that the Chinese Government themselves would be directly responsible for any future misuse of the area.

(a) that it would in effect lay upon the

Chinese Government the reps,-undee, evacuation of the area.

onus of susuring the

[Note by Communications Department. Repetition of

unde cypherable groups being obtained].

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