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No.1054 (87/347/45)
Copied to:-
Commander-in-Chief
Hong Kong, No.11.
SECRET
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:
BRITISH EMBASSY, CHUNGKING.
5th October, 1945
17 OCT 1945
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sir,
I have the honour to transmit to you, herewith, copies of certain notes prepared by Mr. Wallinger on his return to Chungking from Hong Kong on October 3rd.
2. Mr. Wallinger's optimism about the prospects of the Colony is shared by Brigadier Kay, the Canadian Military Attache here, who has commented on the remarkable progress made towards rehabilitation in the course of the four weeks he recently spent in the Colony; and by Mr. Keswick who has also now returned to Chungking. The notes draw attention to certain immediate shortages and I am studying what can be
Any done from the Chinese side to remedy the situation. transfers of staff from British military organisations can, of course, only be a palliative and the problem of strengthen-
but ing the Administration is not one upon which I can advise: it becomes daily clearer to me that, if British interests in the Far East are to be re-established and expanded in the future, we shall have to rely entirely on our own efforts and are unlikely to be able to count on much Chinese assist- ance: it would appear that the best centre for the exertion of that effort is likely to be Hong Kong. To that extent I may be justified in urging that the earliest consideration be given to the requirements of the Colony, both in personnel and in the provision of shipping, fuel and other commodities.
3. On specific matters to be taken up here, I shall
In the meantime, report in due course, as action is taken.
I trust that the enclosed notes, which have been produced
The Right Honourable,
rapidly/..
Ernest Bevin, M.P.,
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
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