CO537-3706 — Page 27

Tel.

187 Hong Kong Tel. 259

{

5. 3.48

188 Draft Tel. to Hong Kong for. F.O.

189 P.W. Scarlett Esq. w/c 189

concurrence.

8-3.48,

-

8.3.48.

190: P. Scanet -F 3589/154/10 -

Mr. Seel

Mr. Scarlett had two points on our draft telegram. He suggested that the last sentence of paragraph 2 should be amended, as indicated in ink on the draft re-submitted. I see no objection to this amendment.

His second point was that Mr. Dening felt that in approaching the Chinese it might be preferable to start off with the indication concerning the International Court and then go on to say what we proposed to do with the area in the meantime. Mr. Dening thought there might be some advantage in putting the matter to the Chinese in this way, and that it would be worth while mentioning the point to the Governor at this stage.

I have accordingly added a paragraph to the draft (numbered 8) which Mr. Scarlett has assured me would adequately meet Mr. Dening's point.

The draft telegram is accordingly submitted for approval. It is desirable that it should go off as soon as possible.

M. Marka

9.3.48.

Sir Thomas Lloyd.

You will recall (see 182 and 183) that we proposed to the Chinese that as a solution of tais Walled City question the site should be converted into a Garden of Remembrance, who se safe keeping and administration should be entrustad to two trustees, one appointed by each side. The text of the joint statement which we proposed is given in 182, and the Ambassador was asked in 183 to explain to the Chinese that we thought it an essential part of such an arrangement that as a matter of practical convenience the maintenance- of law and order in the Garden should be under- taken by the Hong Kong authorities.

It