CO537-3706 — Page 73

like ours should have to seek a ruling

in this manner on a question which has

so little practical importance. We

should be glad to know whether the

Chinese Government agree to such a

reference. Pending the decision of the

Court, we would propose either (a) to

maintain the status quo in the area or

(b) to proceed with the proposal for a

Garden of Remembrance and we should like be prepared to consider any

to have the views of the Chinese Govern-

have

ніва

ment on these two alternatives.

Under

the first alternative the huts which

have been re-erected in the area since

the 12th January would be allowed to

remain and the persons living in them

would not be disturbed, but no new huts

would be permitted. No action would be

taken by the Hong Kong Government within

the area unless events therein created

an immediate danger to public law and

order or health, e.g. an epidemic of

cholera. Under the second alternative

it would of course be necessary to clear

the area as a preliminary to converting

it into a Garden of Remembrance.

Whichever alternative is adopted we

sincerely hope that the Chinese Govern-

ment would accept the necessity for any

administrative measures which the Hong

Kong Government might have to take in

the area pending the Court's decision,

and would take active steps to ensure

that such measures were not made the

subject of public agitation in China.

Further