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CYPHER TELEGRAM
0.A.G.
HONG KONG
Sont 5th November, 1940, 19.16 hrs.
IMMEDIATE
No. 642 Secret.
Face
444
Feris6/2
Your telegram No. 703.
I have considered problem of compulsory evacuation of European women and children from only reasonable standpoint namely as a factor contributing to capacity of Hong Kong to hold out in siege conditione.
It is eviderit that considerable discontent has been caused by evacuation already carried out not only amongst evacuees themselves but amongst important elemonts in the Colony, whose demoralisation must advorsely affect capacity for defence,
Permission for return to Hong Kong of those already ovacuated must be withheld on defence grounds in present circumstances, but it is not possible to regard compulsory evacuation of relatively few nov remaining as essential on defence grounds, and taking realistic view of likely effect of forcible removal of rocalcitrants, I am convinced that balance of advantage to defence capacity and morale of Bong Kong in this critical time lies against further compulsory evacuation.
4. I am advised that proclamation of Emergency Powers Order in Council 9th March 1989 proposed in your telegran No. 672 would not have any greater effect of removing any doubts now attaching to your powers to order compulsory measures than would action under Defence Act, and in wither caso doubts would be likely to be strengthened and series of test cases follow. Such a result must be avoided and attention of yourself and your advisors should be concentrated on making sure that youryowers are sufficient to refuse ro-adniesion as long as may be necessary of those already evacuated.
5. I fully sympathice with you in this difficulty with which you find yourself confronted and much appreciate the clear advice which you have given me, which has been of greatest value in deciding upon course of action to be followed in present emergency situation. My decision has
been taken with concurrence of War Office and I know that you in co-operation with the 0.0.0, will bend your energies to restoring any loss of morale or confidence in the Colong which these evacuation messures have caused.
6.
It must bo mado clear to those women who decide to remain in Hong Kong and not to leave voluntarily (which is especially desirablo in caso of those with responsibility for children) that they cannot look for any special measures of protection or facilitico to leave Colony on occurrence of emergency and that each one must pull her weight in essential.
servi.co:
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