Civil Affairs Directive to the Senior Officer
Commanding His Britannic Majesty's Forces in Hong Kong.
4
173
1. Upon the surrender of Hong Kong to His Majesty's Forces you assumed by Proclamation full powers and jurisdiction over persons and property in
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Hong Kong, and got bed a Bolest Mulitar
2.
In order to enable you to carry on the Military Administration of Hong Kong, a Chief Civil Affairs Officer, Brigadier D.M. MacDougall, has been appointed to administer the civil population on your behalf and subject to your direction. He has been furnished with a staff of officers, made available so far as possible by the Colonial Office, from those who have knowledge of the Colony, the people and the language. Yu, C.A hurting, wre
Stalk to these quot pin Cole 3. The 'C.C.A.0. and a nuclear staff of key officers are proceeding by air with all possible speed. He will be furnished with a general directive on Civil Affairs policy and with directives on particular matters of importance. (e.g. Financial Policy).
The pol
The remainder of the Civil Affairs Unit will follow as transport facilities become available.
5.
Pending the arrival of the C.C.A.0., you will take such steps as your resources permit
(a) to maintain law and order,
(b) to render aid to civilian internees until they come under the control
of the responsible authority,
(c) to
the influx of civilians by sea or land,”
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desirable.
to prevent the escape of such know Quislings as are brought to
your notice ;-
(d) to guard or secure public utilities, banks, buildings likely to
contain records, and any essential civilian supplies,
to seize the Japanese Treasury and the Yokohama Specie Bank.
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6. As it has not been possible to provide the C.C.A.0. with an adequate police force, it is possible that service personnel will be required to fulfil the majority of these functions for a considerable period after the establishment of the Military Administration.
7. On the arrival of the C.C.A.O you have authority to delegate to him all or any of the powers which you have assumed by proclamation. In order to relieve yourself so far as possible of the detailed work of civil administration you should exercise this power of delegation to the maximum extent compatible in your judgment with military considerations. Delegated powers should, however, remain subject to your orders and directions and will be revocable by you should military considerations make revocation desirable.
8. The functions of the military administration are two-fold:
(a) Short-term. The maintenance of law and order and the prevention of disease and unrest. The implementation of this will require supplies of food, clothing, medical goods, etc., and of equipment for the maintenance or restoration of essential services; these will be shipped as soon as possible.
(b) Long-term. The restoration of the framework of the administration of the Colony with a view to the establishment of stable civil government, and the rehabilitation of the social and economic life of the Colony with a view to its future well-being and prosperity.
9.