CO537-3711 — Page 126

(Copied from Hong Kong Telegram No.65

of 17th January, 1948)

From Governor of Hong Kong to

Mr. Kwok.

16th January.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 37/086 of 13th January, 1948, on the subject of Kowloon City squatters, and in reply to inform you that I reject your contention that the Government of Hong Kong has in any way acted in contravention of the Peking Convention 1898.

2. On the occasion of interviews to which you refer in opening paragraph of your letter, you will recall that I made it clear that if a different interpretation was put on that Convention by the Goverment of China, the matter was one for discussion between that Government and His Majesty's Government. i derived the impression that you shared this view and appreciated that meanwhile public health must be protected and public order preserved. As I informed you in our conversation of 13th January, your failure to make the above position clear to those affected by public health measures necessary in Kowloon City leaves you in my view with a major responsibility for the regrettable incident of the morning of the 12th January.

3. I categorically reject the implication in your letter concerning the conduct of this Goverment or of its officers. In no case did any police officer fire at the crowd. In this connection I invite your attention to the public statement issued by this Goverment in the press on 11th and 13th of this month. In particular I again draw your attention to the fact that prior to 5th January alternative sites were offered free to those required to move. This offer is still open. The police took such actions on the occasion of the 5th January and 12th January as were necessary to carry out their lawful duty. I am unable to accede to your request that they should do otherwise in future.

4. I welcome your assurance that your Government attach importance to the existing friendly relationship between Hong Kong and China. You may rest assured that I will do all in my power to foster that relationship.

33.27