-3-
This
taking advantage of the demilitarised area in Nanking. explains, though does not excuse the excesses there; but a refuge where no men of military age were allowed might succeed in protecting women and children from the frightful outrages from the Japanese soldiery, as there then would be no reason for the latter entering such an area at all.
The Bishop of Hong Kong and the Roman Catholic Bishop Valtorta, are working splendidly in this direction. Naturally, as a Colonial official I can do no more than suggest to the Secretary of State the action which the Foreign Office might take, but I do feel exceedingly strongly that such action should be taken, and not abandoned while any hope remains, in the interests both of this Colony and the unfortunate millions of helpless people in South
China.
Yours sincerely,
fo and hithert
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