Page 237
A most embarrassing situation may therefore rise in the event
of Hong Kong being liberated by Chinese forces unless there 18
clear agreement with Chiang Kai Shek in advance us to our role
in the administration of Hong Kong.
5.
General Wedemeyer's position as Chief of stuff to the
Gener:lissimo 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.0.. in Chinɛ
and
und 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 rcoccux tion of Hong Kong,
that he would in any case feel obliged to refer any matter of
this kind to Washington.
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,
re conducted through
the usual channels there is a danger that they may drag on for
several months, whereas as indicated in paragrogh 1, time may be
very short.
for
I have consulted the Secretary of State for Foreign Affire,
und the secretary of State for tax, and in our view it is important
that the preliminary approach to the Americans should be on the
highest possible level Would you be repared to take ti
opportunity to raise this matter with reddent Truman, to ipress
upon him the importance which we attach to ià and to sk him
ensure that the U.§ Chiefs of Narf and Géner: Fedemeyer suppor
our proposals when we put them to Chiang Kai Shek
Page 237
Page 237
Page 237
Page 237