CO537-3706 — Page 158

COPY FOR READ

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

added)

AMENDED COPY (No. Cypher (0.T.P.)

MOST IMMEDIATE

* No. 202

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Granthem)

D. 19th February, 1948. R. 19th

17

*7

12.00 hrs.

Seoret.

Addrasped to S. of B.

(?Repeated to) Banking, No.52.

169

?

Tour telegram No.212,

Peking Draft Statement.

153

་ས༥

(a) I agree with paragraph 1.

(b) Paragraphe 2 and 3. I suggest there (7those intended) read as follows:-

"With this view the two Governments have mutually agreed that the area in which the old Walled City of Kowloon was altuatod should be convertad into a Gazden of Remembrance, to be dedicated in perpetuity to the sacred memory of the Allied nationals who lost their lives in the common cause against Japanese aggression. I HE now also been agreed that safe-kooping and administration of thie Garden of Remembrance should be entrusted under rules to be mutually agreed, to two trustees, respectively the Special Commissioner for Foreign Affairs (or Chinese Consul-Goneral in Hong Kong) and Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong. Cost of construction and maintenance of the Garden of Remembrance, as well as completion of memorial which may be erected symbolising the purpose connected with the Carden will be jointly borne in equal proportions by the Government of Ching and Government of Hong Kong.

3, It is further agreed as a matter of practical convenience and in the interests of realdents in contiguous areas of Kowloon that the laws of the Colony apply to the Garden of Remembrance und that maintenance of law and order will be undertaken by the Hong Kong authorities,who will also provide facilities for sanitation. Government of Hong Kong will in these matters consult the trustcos as may be necessary",

(o) The term "trustee" seeme more appropriate that "custodian" or "committee" and makes it easier to limit the numbers. If the numbers are large there will be a temptation to turn the meetings into public debates which can be used as a platform by quomintang » I fear that China would also use membership of truste✪ body to enhance the status in the Colony of persons hostile to u8, as for lastenoe L4 Tro Chao,

(a) Nanking's draft soems to envisage appointment of Allied persons, e.g. Americans, to controlling body. The Chinese would certainly appoint only Chinese whilst if we appoint persons other than British subjects it would look as though we were trying to pass the buck. In any case it would probably be difficult to find responsible aliens who would be willing to serve.

Copies sent to:- Foreign Office

Mr. A.D. Scott.