CO537-5000 — Page 78

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Nanking telegram No. 1332 to Foreign Office

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relations with whatever may be the Government of China,

at the same time taking into account our obligations to the people of the territory for which we are responsible". There is no (repeat no) ground for any supposition that this has ceased to be the policy of His Majesty's Government.

3. On specific points set forth in paragraph 4 (a) of your telegram under reference, you can remind the Committee that His Majesty's Government have publicly applauded the decision of British business Community to hold on. There is no (repeat no) reason to suppose that this was an empty statement or that it does not still represent the policy of His Majesty's Government. Indeed you need not hesitate to give the Committee the assurance they seek on this point basing yourself on Foreign Office telegram No. 7616 to Washington. On the other hand only the Chinese could say whether it is safe for the community to carry out its decision to stay. It would not (repeat not) perhaps be tactful to give this reply to the Committee. But if pressed on the point by any who fear possible trouble over Hong Kong you could remind them of Mr. Alexander's statement emphasising its pacific and non-aggressive nature.

4. In reply to paragraph 4 (b) you may inform the Committee of the progress of His Majesty's Government's efforts to reestablish communications with Hong Kong by both sea and air, and can assure them that this object will continue to be pursued with the utmost determination. If pressed in regard to the suggestion that His Majesty's Government should proceed without the concurrence of the Nationalist Government you might ask the Committee whether they consider it reasonable to expect His Majesty's Government to under- write the entire risk of loss of vessel's cargo and the lives that might be involved, not to mention potential political and other repercussions of an armed intervention by British Garrison units which right result.

5.

As regards your paragraph 4 (c), the Committee can rest assured that His Majesty's Government remain in the closest contact with the United States Government and will take all the necessary steps to ensure that their China policy is not (repeat not) misunderstood by the latter.

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