CO537-6314 — Page 131

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

7

4452

Cypher (0.T.F.)

COPY FOR REGISTRATION

TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

Sent 18th February, 1950. 10.15 hrs.

No. 230 Confidential.

RECEIVED 20FEL NOU COLONIAL OFFICE

Following from Tamsui to Hong Kong No. 40 of 15th February repeated to Foreign Office No. 68. Begins.

Nationalist soldiers.

6

Your telegram No. 16:

British Agent of Hiram informs me that press reports of those returned in this vessel are false and that neither he nor the Captain saw any halt or blind on board. They appear to be civilians and unable to establish their identity and were refused entry for this reason.

2.

Formosa's rigid immigration restrictions are justifiable in the present circumstances and it would be inappropriate for me to press for entry of such improperly documented Chinese from Hong Kong while entry of Chinese to Hong Kong from Formosa is so rigorously restricted.

3.

I have therefore informed the Provincial Government of the arrival of further shipment (946 in Kweiyang) and expressed the hope that all will be admitted without difficulty in view of the publicity caused by the non-admittance of some of the previous shipment.

***

I understand that passages in S.S. HIRAM were handled by a Chinese broker and that some passengers were ordinary civilians who held no entry permits and had Arranged for sponsors to meet them this end. I trust that all precautions are now being taken to avoid the inclusion of un-authorised persons and that the remainder of your Nationalist soldiers will be admitted without further trouble.

Copies sent to:-

Secretary of State

Mr. Webber

Sir T. Lloyd

Mr. Rees-Williams

Sir C. Jeffries Sir H. Poynton

Mr. Gorell Barnes

Eastwood

Mr.

Mr. Rogers Mr. Galsworthy

Mr. Bennett

Brigadier Johnson Colonial Attache Mr. Bigg

Accounts Branch

Mr. Holding Room 445 Room 440

Mr. Sidebotham

Mr. Paskin

Mr. Hall

Mr. Radford