K6.
CONFIDENTIAL (2)
FSFst: $
Copies to:-
H.B.M. Ambassador, Tokyo. (7) H.B.M. Ambassador, Shanghai. (6)
Command Headquarters.
57835/35/396
38
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG,
23rd January, 1939.
101-138
Enclosure
No.1.
Sir,
With reference to previous correspondence
terminating with your telegram No.9 of 11th January, 1939,
regarding the internment of soldiers of the Chinese Army who entered British territory during the recent operations
of the Japanese forces in the vicinity of the border of
the New Territories of this Colony and were disarmed and
detained, I have the honour to forward for your information copies of the record of the proceedings at military courts
of inquiry which investigated two incidents of attempted
escapes from the camp which were attended with unfortuna te
results to the escaping men. One of the wounded men later
died and a civil death inquiry into the circumstances of
his death is to be held by a magistrate with the assistance of a jury. Meanwhile I venture to express the opinion that the authorities had in the circumstances no other recourse but to resort to stern measures in pursuance of their duty to prevent the internees from escaping, and I am satisfied that everything possible is being done not only to impress on the internees that any attempt to escape will be dealt with
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
&C., &C., &C.