CO129-560-17 Kowloon- expropriation of Chinese property 6-1-1937 - 4-9-1937 — Page 54

taken to such law being enforced within the boundaries

of a British colony.

Mr. Cowell asked what the Foreign Office hoped

to gain from such a concession to China compared with

what the Colonial Government would lose.

Mr. Orde said it was part of the policy of

gaining Chinese goodwill which the British trading

community in China had confessed to be of considerable

advantage to British trade there.

Mr. Cowell said that in any case the prestige

which we might lose by giving up jurisdiction in Kowloon

city might have a damaging rather than a favourable

effect on the British position in China. He asked

Lieutenant Colonel Whiteley whether Chinese jurisdiction

in Kowloon would be consistent with the military

requirements for the defence of Hong Kong.

Lieut. Ol Whiteley said that they had received

from the G.O.C., China Command, a list of matters which

would be inconsistent with military requirements if

permitted in Kowloon. These included the establishment

of a wireless station, the erection of high buildings

which would endanger aviation, the holding of anti-foreign

meetings, and, of course, the stationing of Chinese troops

in the area.

military requirementy

be

Mr. Cowell said that these seemed Te pretty

To any

comprehensive and that it appeared that there

limitation of British jurisdiction within the boundaries

might easily be

of the colony possible which would not be inconsistent

with military requirements for its defence.

Sir A. Caldecott