In any further communication on this subject, please quote
No.
F 12887/10067/61
and address-
not to any person by name
but to-
"The Under-Secretary of State,”
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
53838/50/40
FOREIGN OFFICE.
S.W.1.
5
18th January, 1940.
20
ز
Sir,
With reference to Sir John Pratt's letter No. FP47/26 of
the 22nd December last on the subject of British Publicity in
Far Eastern countries, I am directed by Viscount Halifax to
state that it is considered desirable, in view of the
considerable Chinese population in the Netherlands East Indies,
that His Majesty's Consul-General at Batavia should be kept
informed of the situation as it affects British policy in China.
I am accordingly to enquire whether arrangements can
be made for the Governor of the Straits Settlements to pass to
His Majesty's Consul-General by safe hand the contents of any
telegrams of general interest concerning China which the
Governor may receive from time to time, such as the summaries
contained in the letters from Mr. Ashley Clarke to Mr. Gent
2.
36/-/39. Nos. F 12457/6457/10 of the 7th December last and No. 4/-/39, F 13088/6457/10 of the 29th December last.
3.
It would similarly be of assistance if the Governors
of Hong Kong and Singapore could allow Mr. R. H. Scott,
Director of the Far Eastern Bureau, to see any telegrams on
British Far Eastern policy.
S.S
D
4. Lord Halifax would be grateful to be informed whether
Mr. Secretary MacDonald is disposed to concur in the se
suggestions, in order that the officers concerned may be
notified of the arrangement.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
5./
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