JOPY.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
18th January, 1940.
With reference to your confidential despatch of
27th January, 1939, regarding the Chinese troops who are at
present interned in this Colony, I have the honour to suggest
that the time is opportune to consider again whether these
men should not be released and repatriated to their homes in
China, now that the Japanese forces have evacuated the
districts bordering on the New Territories of Hong Kong.
2. As long ago as 21st April, 1939, His Majesty's
Consul-General at Canton informed me that a Japanese
Consular officer there had confirmed reports that the
Japanese military authorities at Canton were releasing
Chinese prisoners of war. Since then efforts, which up to
now have not been attended with success, have been made by the
British military authorities here to obtain the consent of the
Japanese military authorities in Canton to the release of the
men. There would now appear to be less reason than ever to
continue to keep these men in the Colony, since even if they
could recombine and re-arm themselves, there is now with the
withdrawal of the Japanese no prospect of a fight on the
borders of the Colony or any infringement of neutrality which
cannot be guarded against. From the humanitarian point of
view there is no danger that these men will become destitute
or be unable to find their way back to their native places
and arrangements to assist in their repatriation could be
made by this Government.
3. If you concur with this view I should be glad if this
matter might be taken up again with the Foreign Office.
These interned men are causing constant trouble through
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
etc., etc., etc.
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stirring
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