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of Hong Kong being liberated by Chinese forces unless there is clear agreement with Chiang Kai shek in advance as to our role in the administration of Hong Kong.
5.
General Vedeneyer's position as Chief of staff to the Generalissimo is such that any agreement of this nature, and the
measures necessary to implement it, would in practice require
Cooperation.
his support and confirmetion. Both the British G.0.C. in China and, 6. In these circumstances it seems very desirable that, before approaching Chiang Kai shek, we should make sure of American support for our proposal. If these negotiations, first with the Americans and then with the Chinese, are conducted through the usual channels there is a danger that they may drug on for several months, whereas as indicated in paragraph 1, time may be very short. 7. I have consulted the secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the secretary of state for War, and in our view it is important that the preliminary approach to the Americans should be on the highest possible level. Would you be prepared to take the
tô
opportunity raise this matter with President Truman, to impress
upon him the importance which we attach to it, and to ask him to
the U.S.Chiefs of Staff and
⚫nsure that/General edemeyer support our proposals when we put thom to Chiang Kai shek.?
General Carton de Wiart have formed the impression that General Wedemeyer is personally opposed to any action by the British in China directed to the reoccupation of Hong Kong, and that he would in any case feel obliged to refer any matter of this kind to Washington.
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