INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
D. 2nd March, 1952. R. 2nd
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08.00 hrs.
Page 59
* MAR 18
18*
En Clair
IMMEDIATE
No. 183.
اد
Addressed to S. of S.
Repeated to Commissioner General for the
United Kingdom in South East Asia
17
11
No. 57.
No. 26.
Peking (Singapore please pass to Peking)
My telegram No. 182.
Ricts.
Following statement is being issued at 13.15 hours, local time, today. Begins.
In view of various rumours in circulation concerning the facts leading up to the incidents of yesterday afternoon, it is considered that a statement should be issued of the facts, which are:-
In all, three vague unofficial approaches were made within the last fortnight to ascertain whether a Comfort Mission from Canton could enter Hong Kong. In each case those concerned were told plainly that permission would not be given for a Comfort Mission, as such, to enter the Colony. During this period, speculative stories of various kinds appeared in the local Chinese Press, and Labour Unions and other organisa- tions proceeded with extensive preparations to take part in an organised welcome programme. On Wednesday, 27th February, Mr. Percy Chen enquired whether representatives of the donors of the money collected in Canton, as distinct from a Comfort Mission, would be allowed entry on the following day. He was informed that if written application were made, and a programme submitted, consideration would be given to such a request, but that a Comfort Mission would not be admitted, and that, even if permission were given to representatives of the donors, their visit could not take place before the 9th March. This was the position on the night of Friday 29th February. It would appear that, in the meantime, no information had been given to the Labour Unions or others interested regarding the true position. As far as they knew, March 1st was the firm date for the Comfort Mission's arrival. On the morning of Saturday, 1st March, Government sources were informed about 11.30 a.m. that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce had been advised, by telephone from Canton, that the proposed visit of the Comfort Mission was postponed. It is understood that this information was passed to the Federation of Trade Unions. None the less, it seems, in the light of subsequent events, that the rank and file of the Unions and others concerned
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