COPY.
Confidential.
My dear Smith,
18
Office of Chinese Maritime Customs fol
Kowloon and District,
4th floor,
Marina House,
12th August, 1940.
15-19 Queen's Road C.
Hong Kong.
You may remember that in December 1938, during the first Japanese occupation of the frontier districts, I approached you informally to enquire whether if it became necessary the Hongkong Government would raise any objection to the appointment by the Inspector General of Customs of a Japanese to the Customs Head Office in Hongkong. Nothing went on record at the time, but I think that I am right in saying that, following discussion at your office at which Mr. King, the Com- missioner of Police, was present, it was intimated that no objection to such an appointment would be raised.
As you are aware the Japanese have renewed their demands on the Kowloon Customs to submit to Japanese control on somewhat similar lines to that exercised in occupied ports in China, and as a result of discussions that have taken place at Shanghai, the Inspector General has intimated to the Japanese Authorities that in view of the changed conditions on the Frontier and on the under- standing that the Japanese military authorities remain in permanent occupation of Frontier Customs stations, he is prepared to consider favourably the question of appointing a liaison officer of Japanese nationality to the Head Office here. He has instructed me therefore to approach the Hongkong Government and ascertain their views on the proposal as soon as possible. I may add that the Japanese request was for an Administrative Commissioner (under myself) or an Administrative Deputy Commissioner of Japanese nationality, but that the Inspector General pointed out that owing to our understanding with the Hongkong Government such an appointment would not be possible. It is probable, however, that the liaison officer would be of Deputy Commissioner's rank.
I have thought it wiser to approach you confidentially in this matter but if you prefer it I will address you officially of course. The question is of some urgency, however, and I would be grateful if the Hongkong Government's views could be cormunicated to me at the earliest possible moment.
Honourable Mr. N.L. Smith, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
HONG KOπ-
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) Edwin A. Pritchard.