This fin
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- 3-
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
in quite enough on this matter, and if I had been
in Northcote's place I am not sure that I should
have committed us quite so definitely. I discussed
it of course with Clark Kerr and I told him that I
would naturally abide by Northcote's recommendations
which had gone to the Secretary of State. And so I
will, but I think it would be a mistake to go any
further.
Assuming that by the time this reaches you
we are not at war or more nearly at war with Japan,
will you let me know what view would be taken of a
proposal that I should pay a visit to Chungking?
Clark Kerr asked me if I would, and I should like
to go if there is no objection. Not in the near
future, for at the present time I am wondering how
I am going to be able to manage even the inside of
a day visiting the Governor of Macao, but perhaps
in February or March.
I won't burden you with all the groans
hisses and hoots that fill the air on the subject
of the evacuation. I am afraid Northcote was a
little optimistic in thinking that the issue was