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may be lost of getting further shipments to the Far East should the possibility arise. No Red Cross or individual parcels can yet be sent.

Steps have also been taken to send financial assistance and a sum of £10,000 from ・・ Government funds has already been transmitted to the International Red Cross delegate in Hong Kong to be used by him, in consultation with Dr. Selwyn Clarke, for general relief purposes in the Camp. Arrangements have also been made for the remittance of a similar amount monthly during the next six months. It is hoped that the first of these monthly remittances will be reaching the delegate very soon if, indeed, it has not already done so.

The matter of trying to obtain repatriations of British subjects from Hong Kong has received the urgent and earnest consideration of the British Government. An approach has already been made to the Japanese Government, but until their reply is received it is not possible to make any forecast of the chances of repatriations or to estimate what categories or persons would be included in the event of Japanese agreement. It is the policy of the British Government to do all that may be possiblo to obtain repatriations and we can only wait and hope that success may attend the effort made.

You are probably aware that letters can be sent to Hong Kong. It would be as well for you to consult the American Red Cross for advice as to how you should address letters from the United States of America but in case it may be helpful to you, I am sending you one of the leaflets issued by the British General Post Office on this subject.

You can be assured that the Government is fully alive to the condition and needs of those who

are

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