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тиришд
Secretary of State.
We have now reached a point in the
negotiations with China in reference to the draft Treaty on Extra-Territorial Concessions, at which it, is necessary to take a firm decision regarding their request to include the "New Territories in the proposed agreement. I understand that the matter will probably come before the War Cabinet on Monday, and I think that Mr. Edmonds should arrange for you to be summoned to the meeting. I think that we have no alternative but to accept the so-called face-saving device reported at 'Q' in 174. This will recognise that the New Territories are not concerned with the matters now under negotiation but will agree that the Juestion can be raised later on at a more appropriate time. In earlier Ministerial discussions it was suggested that the whole question of the future sovereignty of Hong Kong should be left open for has discussion after the war. This line, however, we not
far and bem approved by the War Cabinet, and the discussions took
Um Award
how
place before the recent victories in Africa and before the Prime Minister's Guildhall speech. It is possible that the Cabinet may wish to take a firmer line. On the last paragraph of Mr. Gent's minute I am personally averse to expressing a willingness to include the whole Colony of Hong Kong instead of only the New Territories" in any discussions with China when victory is won. It is true that Hong Kong without the New Territories would be in a thoroughly unsatisfactory position, but I see every advantage in leaving the scope of the discussions to be considered at a later date. I cannot comment further until we see Mr. Eden's memorandum, but you may wish to discuss the position with Mr.Gent and myself when you have seen the memorandum.
19.12.42.
182 Is Changing 1603
71915
177
%
To India
til 21471 of 15/12
178
Burma
til 943 of 16/12
D.O til
179
D559 of 17/12
180 To Chungking 1601 of 18/12
181
"
K
1602
182
1603
K
"
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