CO537-3706 — Page 98

LOCAL DEMONSTRATION AGAINST KOWLOON INCIDENTS.

BY BAG

No.15 (and 3 copies)

BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL,

TSINGTAO.

26th January, 1948.

sir,

With reference to my despatch No.11 of 13th January, I have the honour to report that on the 22nd January I was informed by General Ting Chi-pan, Commanding General of the 11th. Pacification Area, and by the American Consulate- Concral that demonstrations would take place in front of this Consulate-General luring that morning. General Ting assured me that the demonstration would be of a peaceful nature although it was possible that the demonstrators (mostly students) would make a considerable amount of noise. A special police guard was detailed to keep the demonstration within the prescribed limits and I understand that a body of soldiers was also standing by.

One American Vice-Consul asked if he

might come and have a "ringside" seat.

All gates to the compound were guarded by our meswongers, with instructions to bolt up when the demonstrators appeared, and fire fighting

•quipment was checked.

At about 9.30 it commenced to snow and the weather began to get colder. By 11 o'clock (when the demonstration was scheduled to commence) nothing had happened end office work proceeded normally. At 12 o'clock it was obvious that the demonstrators had abandoned the project - probably deciding that it would be more comfortable indoors than tramping in the snow shouting anti-British slogans

and, since the weather has remained very inclement, I consider that the Kowloon incident has been "

showed under" into obscurity.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient,

humble Servant,

авт

R. H. Bókford Acting Conɛul-General

His Excellency,

The British Ambassador,

BRITISH ELILAJSY,

NANKING.