NATIONAL
SCHEM
[TUDIO ATRA
NEW
Telephone No.: WHITEHALL 1234.
In my reply
please quote Regd. No.
S. 42313/2.
665
TREASURY CHAMBERS,
WHITEHALL, S.W.1.
27th January, 1939.
Dear Cowell,
3362
With reference to your letter of January, 11th
53838/2/38), regarding the refugees from Shanghai and
other parts of China, the provision in the Diplomatic and
Consular Estimates was specifically stated to cover the cost
of transport and maintenance in Hong Kong of British subjects,
and the Foreign Office are correct in refusing to accept
liability for the "White Russians" and other non-British
subjects who were not evacuated by His Majesty's Consul
General at Shanghai.
We feel doubtful whether a charge could be accepted
to public funds in respect of the relief given to these
people. There is no Parliamentary authority for extending
the scope of relief already approved and it is difficult to
see on merits why the taxpayer here should pay for the
maintenance of "White Russians" and the other non-British
refugees in question who have succeeded in getting into
Hong Kong with the general influx.
We appreciate the burden on the Hong Kong
H. R. Cowell Esq., C.M.G.,
Colonial Office.
Government