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C. 0.5. (48) 207 th mt. 9.27.8 19.3.2
15.
COMMAND OF HONG KONG
C.0.S. (45) 549 (0)
J.P. (45) 208 (Final)
G...
..F0053/1147
(Previous Reference: C.0.S. (15) 206th Meeting, Minute 11)
THE COMMITTEE had before them:
(i) Minutes from the Secretary covering a draft
directive which had been prepared, as a
(ii)
(iii)
basis of discussion, in accordance with the instructions of the Chiefs of Staff at their previous meeting, in an attempt to reconcile the conflicting views expressed at that meeting;
The Report by the Joint Planning Staff which
had been the subject of discussion at the previous meeting;
A letter from the Foreign Office drawing attention
to the importance of avoiding any action regarding Hong Kong which the Generalissimo might interpret as "jumping" him, and pointing out the possibility that Chiang Kai-shek might expect the China theatre, including Hong Kong, to go on as before until some decision was reached by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, in agreement with him, for taking Hong Kong out of it.
With reference to the draft directive referred to at (i) above, it was explained that the Colonial Office had objected to the first part.graphs of the first draft under which Admiral Harcourt would have been appointed
"Governor of Hong Kong and the New Territories" and would have dealt direct with the Secretary of State for the Colonies in all matters relating to civil administration. The Colonial Office had pointed out that, in the first instance, the Military commander would be setting up a Military administration and that the Minister responsible for this Military administration should be the Secretary of State for War. There was in fact, already in existence a Governor of Hong Kong in the person of Sir Mark Young but the civil Governor would not resume responsibility until the ilitary administration could be wound up in the light of the military- situation. The first part of the directive had, therefore, been re-drafted by the Colonial Office. There was general agreement with this view.
SIR DRE. CURTINGH." acid that he understood that a! civil affairs directivo to Rear duiral Harcourt was hoing prepared by the Wer Office in consultation with the Coloni.l Office and the Läir.lty.
Sir Andrew Cunningham then referred to the passages in the draft directive which placed on S.A.C.S.E.A. the responsibility for operational policy at Hong Kong and for the resolution of any conflict of priorities between the requirements of the Service commanders, and said that, in his opinion, this responsibility should rest with the
Ø
COS 1160/5 & 1163/5
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