U.S. AND HONG KONG

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1949, Page 5

U.S. AND HONG KONG

(N.Z.P.A.-

— Reutef.

Britain Seeks Definition Of Attitude

Couyriant )

Received Friday, 10.40 p.m. NEW YORK, June 17. Britain has asked the United States to define its position in tlu event of a Chinese Communist at taek 011 Iiong Kong, says a dis patcli from AVashington to tlu New Yofik Herald-Tribune. Tlu dispatch shid the State Depart ment would not eomment, but it Was apparent that the matter wai under consideration at the highes; policy level. The dispatch adds that the fac that Britain feels compelled ti sound out the American attitudi on Hong Kong at so late ah houi in the Far East presupposes i lack of common policy, observert said here. While sympathetic t( the nationalist aspirations of tlu Chinese fhe United States hat never questioned Britain 's righl to Hong Kong. The State De partment has ahvays regardec Hong Kong as a British posses uon acquired by legal processes. Shanghai city foreign, commer cial and finaneial leaders are al most unanimous in the opinioi that immediate recognition shouk be accorded when. the Centra People 5s Government is establish ed. This was disclosed in a sur vey made on Thursday. Sucl action undoutbediy would be beneficial to foreign organisationr in the course of their business, i was said. Several influential British in dustrial representatives admittei that even without recognitioi foreign trade in North Chin? already was expanding satisfac "orily. A Central Adminstration Lo assume the role of Governmeu s expected to be proclaimed ii the early autumn.