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Sir A. Cadogan.
The Colonial Office aave now concurred in the draft telegram about Hong Kong in the wording now subaitted.
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Since then we have received a betch of further telegrams sho-ing that the Chinese are requiring that the surrender be postponed until
fter Chiong Kel-shekhas arranged the general surrender in the China theatre with the Japanes C. La C. there. The Chinese are also requiring us to give undertakings before the Surrender takes place 12 Hong wong that we will hand over to them Japanese snips and mechcnicel transport captured la Hong Kong.
So for es we are swore, Cmerel Order No. 1 has not yet been amended to includo any reference to Hong Kong. All we know is that according to a message from General Gairdner to General Ismy, C norel Vocêrthur in instructions sent to Admiral Freser on August 14th cald "Tule Office will direct Japanese to surrender their forces in Hong Kong to Bear Admiral Harcourt."
We do not want to have to recede further Trom the position we gave tɛ490 up on account Joao Aaerical action or failure to take action. It seems important, therefore, to clear up beyond doubt that the Japan se hoeve received a straight order from dedersi MacArthur to surrender to Adalral H-rcourt.
I have discussed tais with the Colonlel Office and our recommendation is still to send off the attached telegram. But we fest that the Admiralty should be urged when giving instructions to Auaired Harcourt on the lines of the draft, to repeat those Lastruc- tious to Admiral Freser end to lastruct Adairel Fraser to ask Gcneral MacArthur forthwith to confirm that the instructions envi@ged in his message of August 24th have in fact been issued to the Japenese; and if they have not to press for this immediate oruer to be iven to the Jupanuse, seeing that Aunirel Harcourt is gow on the ground. Aomiral Freser saould aongto pe informed of the exact terus of the instructions.
As the matter is urgent, would it be possible to settle it at tais morning's Defence Committee, la which case tas Secret: ry or Stute for the Colonies should be laviteⱭ to attená.
Je Hundal Bennight
71st August 1945.
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