54144/7/45.
Top Secret
Dear P.J.,
97
23rd January, 1945.
During the course of their planning for the
rehabilitation of Hong Kong my people have given
considerable thought to the situation which would
arise if the Colony were by-passed by the regular
Forces of the United Nations, but nevertheless the
Japanese withdrew their own Forces to a less exposed
position. If such an opportunity occurred we ought
to prepare against the seizure of Hong Kong by some
Chinese war lord or commander of irregular bands for
the purpose of loot or glory. If such a coup by
Chinese were successful it seems probable that it
would receive the support of Chungking and thus when
we wished to establish our own British administration
a situation of considerable political embarrassment
would result.
The Right Honourable
Sir James Grigg, B, KOSI, MP.
A