CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942 — Page 46

Ü

With the Commiiments

of State Affairs

Colonial Office: W.B.L.. Monson

This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on).

topy

7822/828/10).

Cypher).

Sir H. Seymour, No.1574.

copied to:. 10

46

Most SECRET

WAR CABINET DISTRI UTION,

FROM

CHINA.

FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

17th November, 1942.

My telegram No.1552.

BO

DO

B/T. Tsy

MUT Adly.

D. 7.40 p.m. 17th November, 1942. R. 5.30 a.m. 18th November, 1942.

It is not surprising that the Chinese Government have raised the question of New Territory, Having once done so that are unlikely to drop it since they acknowledge leased territories as in the same category of unequal treaty grp. undec7 derogatory of Chinese sovereignty as our concessions and Shanghai Settlement. Whole question of the treaty negotiations arouses great interest here and the Chinese officials will be fully behind the Government in demanding that we live up to our declaration that future relations between the two countries are to be based on equality and reciprocity.

2. It is true that in theory there is nothing conflicting with these principles in allowing the existing lease to run to its expiration by the next date but this argument will not appeal to the Chinese. Their point is the simple one that no foreign power shall continue to occupy Chinese territory. It is also pertinent to note the Chinese avoid raising question relating to Kowloon itself or Hong Kong. There is further point that very difficult situation would arise if at the end of the war Chinese forces are in physical possession of new territory and the question of its disposal still in dispute.

3. Considerations which have led His Majesty's Government to regard the new territory as vital to Hong Kong are both sivil and Military (see e.. Foreign Office despatch to Sir M. Lampson No. 764 of 1931) and some of these considerations no doubt still have great weight. Your despatch No. 1 grp. undec.7 83 suggests you may have in mind some plan for this area but if not there might be a good deal to be said for accepting this Chinese demand which, at any rate, does not include request for the using of any British_territory including Kowloon. Tacit acceptance by the Chinese and Hong Kong including Kowloon is British and does not come within the scope of present negotiations would be worth something though I do not wish to put its value too high.

言

OTP

? that