FO371-35824 — Page 28

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3078

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55104/2/43.

CONFIDENTIAL.

حا

F4541 964

Downing Street,

S.W.1.

27 August, 194330 AUG 1943

Enter

green

Dear Ashley Clarke,

(tresubmit with F4382/4

21

F2913/964/10

No doubt you saw the letter which Monson sent to Young enclosing a copy of a formal letter sent to this Department by the China Association on the question of the future status of Hong Kong. It seems to us that the time has come when we ought to be exchanging ideas as to the possible claims which may be made upon His Majesty's Government in respect of that Colony and the various British interests which will be concerned.

The present official position of

His Majesty's Government is that, in respect of the New Territories, we have stated that if the Chinese Government desired the terms of the lease to be reconsidered, that in our view was a matter for discussion after victory is won; as regards the rest of the Colony of Hong Kong, it was stated in Parliament in connection with the negotiations on the extra-territoriality question that the status of Hong Kong was not involved in that matter.

It is clear, therefore, that our intention and right to liberate Hong Kong and restore it as a British Colony is quite uncompromised, and this includes the New Territories. Nevertheless it would be prudent to consider whether and what alternative positions would be practicable for us in the event of our main line becoming for any reason untenable in toto in post-war conditions.

H.ASHLEY CLARKE, ESQ.

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