CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 143

~COPY ON

ON 541

54145/47

54147/47.

141

29th May, 1947.

Secret

29

Re-establishment of Hong Kong University.

I expect you will have seen Crombie's latter to`m of the 9th of May, about, the proposals in my letter to Gilbert of the 12th of April for financial assistance from the United Kingdom towards the rehabilitation of Hong Kong University.

In Crombie's letter he raises the question whether it is H.M.G's intention to endeavour to hold on to Hong Kong for as long as possible, if necessary resisting considerable pressure from China to give it up. We had, of course, hoped that my Secretary of State would have been able to make before now a reassuring public statement concerning our intention to remain in

He public Hong Kong. You will probably remember that this was one of the recommendations in a memorandum on the future of Hong Kong which was prepared herefor submission to the Cabinet and sent over in draft form to the Foreign office, but that earlier this month Mr.Creach Jones had a conversation with Mr.Bevin, at which it was decided not to proceed with the submission of the memorandum for the present..

From a note made by ir.Creech Jones of this conversation it appears that Mr.Bevin, whilst

Sir Orme Sargent, KCB. „KOMG.

opposed