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A most embarrassing situation may therefore arise in the event
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.
Gencral Wedemeyer'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
his support and co-operation.
Both the British G.Ü.C. in China
and General Carton de wiart have formed the impression that
General Wedameyer 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 refor any matter of .
this kind to Washington.
$
६ In those 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 mary
drag on for several months, whereas as indicated in paragraph 1,
time may be very short.
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