CORY FOR REGIST
CYPHER TALEGRAM from the Governor Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Dated 22nd September, 1939.
No. 297.
24
32
Received at 8.20 a.m. on
R 2Chã de Comber, 1939.
25 SER1939
C.O. REGI
Addressed to Tokyo No. 75 of September 22nd,
repeated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies No.297,
Shanghai No.112, Canton No.95.
Following telegram No.202 received from Canton begins.
Japanese authorities have just announced that all Chinese
returning to Canton must be in possession of at least
Hong Kong 20 or National $ 60.
be allowed to land. Ends.
They will not otherwise
I presume that objects are to get hold of Hong Kong
currency and secondly to embarrass this colony by hampering
return of the class of person whom we are maintaining at the
Colony's expense. Immediate effect has been to prevent
repatriation of 200 refugees for whom accommodation was
reserved on ship travelling to Canton. No doubt it will
be represented that Hong Kong took exactly similar step but
where as any administration is justified in restricting
influx from foreign territory no such justification exists
in the case of refugees desirous of returning to own homes.
Japanese action also reflects doubt on the sincerity of their
expressed hope that the Cantonese would return home.
If opportunity occurs I should be glad if you and the
Consul General at Canton would represent accordingly to
Japanese authorities.
OF
Lalog