Page 43
Page 43
7.
GUARD
FS237
[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on]
[CYPIER]
1
C
CABINET DISTRIBUTION
Sir H. Seymour No. 865
17th August, 1945
FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
D. 12. O midday GMT. 17 th August, 1945.
R.
1.35 p.m. BST. 17th August, 1945.
777
37
MOST HEDIATE
TOP SECRET
GUARD
My telegrams Nos. 856 and 857.
I spoke to acting Minister for Foreign Affairs today about Chinese memorandum quoted in my telegram No. 856. According to his account difficulty felt by Chinese is namely one of procedure and of necessity of following directions laid down for surrender.
2. As regards Saigon dis agreement Chinese have of course no objection whatever to SACSEA [2 grps. undec.] there, but arrangements ought to be made for Japanese also to surrender to Chiang Kai Shek representative in respect of area north of 16 degrees. I understand Ching Kai Shek is telegraphing to SACSEA about this and presumably suitable arrangements can be made.
3. No question is raised by Chinese in connexion with
Thailand.
4. On the question of Hong Kong I said His Majesty's Government would no doubt feel under strongest possible moral obligation to come to assist the population at earliest possible moment and that in my opinion they would do so. I also pointed out that to bring in troops from an area such as Canton would simply make matters worse in Hong Kong. Here again question of to whom surrender should be made comes up, and I think Chinag Kai Shek has been upset by our telling him we were forces / sending/ fue Tai ehi into what he regards as his area without
previous consultation. Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs asked whether we could not suggest some way round the difficulty, and said that any proposal would be sympathetically received. Would you consider asking Chiang Kai Bhek to send representative to share in accepting the surrender, at the same time making it clear that necessary troops and relief will be sent by sea? I think this would be acceptable but do not guarantee it.
5. Your telegram No. 888 paragraph 3 asks Chiang Kai Shek
Page 43
to
Page 43
Page 43