CO129-613-6 Arrest of members of the Kwang Tung Provincial Peace Preservation Corps 10-1-1947 - 25-11-1947 — Page 36

Nanking to Hong Kong, No. 112

TELEGRAM SENT:

Despatched: 7.4.47

Nanking

From: To:

Cypher.

Hong Kong (Confirmatory copy by bag)

Director of European Affairs Ministry of

Foreign Affairs informed member of H.M. Embassy verbally April 3rd of report that four Chinese soldiers had been overpowered near Hong Kong by smugglers whom they had been sent to capture and that two of the soldiers had been killed and the other two had been delivered by amugglers to British Authorities at Pingshan by whom they were being held for trial on charges of robbery and carrying firearms without license.

2.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs request release of two soldiers and return of their firearms and equip- ment and state that in due course they may demand extradition of one of smugglers named Wong Pui.

3.

News item in North China Daily News April 3rd quotes denial by Ministry of Foreign Affairs source that any protest regarding what is obviously same incident has been forwarded to Government of Hong Kong by Kwangtung Provincial Authorities. Same source is also quoted as commenting that no provincial authority is entitled to lodge protests in matters involving international relations and that "incident itself was regarded as trifling one and would no doubt be settled shortly by direct negotiations".

4.

Circumstances suggest that Ministry of Foreign Affairs are not sure of their grounds but I would be grateful for your advice as to what to reply.

STEVENSON.

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