CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 134

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before now a reassuring public statement concerning

our intention to remain in Hong Kong. In fact, this

was one of the recommendations in a memorandum on the

future of Hong Kong which was prepared here in recent

weeks for submission to the Cabinet. But such a

proposal raises wider issues than those affecting

Hong Kong alone, and must be judged against the

background of our international relations as a whole.

But

It was with this in mind that, at a talk which they had

Lat

last month, Mr. Creech Jones and Mr. Bevin decided that,

for the present, we should not proceed with the submission

Sucha

132

of our memorandum to the Cabinet. A note which Mr. Creech Jones

made of this conversation, however, indicates that

Mr. Bevin was fully aware of the urgency of our position

in Hong Kong, and that he urged Mr. Creech Jones to press

on as far as possible with the various outstanding

pressing problems. I therefore consulted Orme Sargent

about the enquiry in your letter, and I have his agreement

to my giving you an assurance that, although it is not

politic to say so publicly at the present juncture, it

is definitely the policy of our two Departments that the

position of H. M. G. in Hong Kong should be indefinitely

sustained.

Thi

agrooing to my giving you a joint musta coruse, as he

assurance in these terms Orme Sargent has pointed out,

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out, that

the F.0. view is without prejudice to a decision on policy,

which would presumably have to be taken at Cabinet level. At the same time the walles the further most unhort aut fount But he has added that, if we were in fact ever compelled suty he has added that, fen if we should ever have to consider with de to yield up Hong Kong, the existence of a University

away

hom

already established there would, in the F.0. view,

continue to serve the main purpose of maintaining British,

influence and prestige in that part of the world, and

that indeed any change in the status of the Colony might

increase, not decrease, the value of a University.

this connection one could perhaps point to the position and influence of the American universities in China or the

American University at Beirut.

In

3. I hope