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Decode
and Decypher.
Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen. (Nanking).
May 7th, 1937.
R.
8.20. p.m. May 8th, 1937.
D. (by w/T) May 8th, 1937.
No. 155.
"R" begins:
-000-
Hongkong telegram No. 10 to me of May 4th and Hongkong
telegram No. 83 to Colonial Office May 4th.
On May 3rd (and therefore prior to receipt of telegrams
under reference) I mentioned Kowloon in conversation with
Minister for Foreign Affairs I said that while I had communi-
cated substance of Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs' lotter
to you and Hongkong, the scheme must be carried out and I
thought it most unlikely that Hongkong Government would agree
to any further delay.
2. I went over the ground on which Hongkong based their right to act. For thirty years no question had been raised
as to our position; moreover, the war Office and Air Ministry
had stated quite definitely that existence in Kowloon City of
Chinese administration would be entirely incompatible with
military needs and Governor held view that possibility of ex-
ternal Japanese or communist demonstration there, could not be
contemplated. I could only state our standpoint and say I had
no authority to discuss the question further. The matter did
not seem worth a major dispute.
3. The Minister for Foreign Affairs listened very quietly
and expressed agreement with my last remark. End of "R",
4. In my opinion there is no reason to allow eviction of
remaining/
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