CO129-592-8 Future Policy in Hong Kong 1-1-1945 - 26-11-1945 — Page 94

Inform from

U.S. Embassy

to Fo 43

93

as to

M'Bymes' Press confe

Asked whether he would define the position of the U.S. with regard to the future status of Hong Kong, the Secretary replied in the negative. The Secretary added that our position was generally, as to any territorial controversy that may arise anywhere, that it must be taken up at the Council of Foreign Ministers. As to territorial contro- versies arising out of the war, the Secretary added they could be settled only in peace treaties and the spade work of the peace treaties was to be done by the Council of Foreign Ministers. Mr. Byrnes said it was determined at Potsdam that questions affecting territories such as Trieste should be submitted to the Council of Foreign Ministers, and then there was a provision at the end of the paragraph that the Council would consider any other questions which would be submitted to the Council by the several Governments. "Therefore the Secretary added, "any questions of territories at all must be considered by the Council".

Accordingly the Foreign Office are putting up to Mr. Bevin for approval the attached draft answer to the Supplementary which it will then be for us to send over to No.10.

EMG.

23.8.45.