XXX CONFIDENTIAL.
-6 FEB 1940
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG,
18th January, 1940.
56
Sir,
C. O. RMGY
With reference to your confidential despatch of
27th January, 1939, regarding the Chinese troops who are
at present interned in this Colony, I have the honour to
suggest that the time is opportune to consider again
whether these men should not be released and repatriated
to their homes in China, now that the Japanese forces
have evacuated the districts bordering on the New
Territories of Hong Kong.
2.
As long ago as 21st April, 1939, His XXXXXXXXX Majesty's Consul-General at Canton informed me that a Japanese Consular officer there had confirmed reports that the Japanese military authorities at Canton were releasing
Chinese prisoners of war. Since then efforts, which up
to now have not been attended with success, have been made
by the British military authorities here to obtain the consent of the Japanese military authorities in Canton
to the release of the men. There would now appear to be
less reason than ever to continue to keep these men in the Colony, since even if they could recombine and rearm themselves, there is now with the withdrawal of the Japanese no prospect of a fight on the borders of the Colony or any infringement of neutrality which cannot be guarded against. From the humanitarian point of view there is no danger that these men will become destitute or be unable to find their way back to their native places and arrangements
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
Lens. (10)
&C.
&C.,
&C.,