M.4772/37
sir,
116
18th August
7
With reference to your communication of the
14th August F.5106/9/10, stating that the Estonian
Minister has asked that some 120 Estonian citizens
at Shanghai should be evacuated with British subjects,
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to forward herewith for Viscount Halifax's
information a copy of a Signal 1848/17th August which
has been addressed to the Commander in Chief China
on the matter.
As Viscount Halifax is no doubt aware,
H.M.Ships are not being and in all probability cannot be used for evacuating refugees. The accommodation of
refugees at Hong Kong is also likely to prove difficult
and may be the determining factor in deciding upon the number of British subjects who can be evacuated.
Similar proposals from other small nations must also be
anticipated.
My Lords assume that no expense arising out
of the evacuation of foreign nationals will fall on British funds and that the appropriate British
authorities will be instructed accordingly.
A copy of this letter has been sent to
the Colonial Office.
The Under Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
S.W.1.
DA.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,