A most embarrassing situation may therefore arise in the event
of Hong Kong being liberated by Chinese forces unless there is
clear agreement with Chiang Kai Shek in advance as to our role
in the administration of Hong Kong.
5.
General Wedemeyer's position as Chief of Staff to the
Generalissimo is such that any agreement of this nature, and the
measures necessary to implement it, would in practice require
his support and co-operation.
Both the British G.0.6. in China
and General Carton de Wiart have formed the impression that
General Wedemeyer is personally opposed to any action by the
British in China directed to the reoccupation of Hong Kong, and
that he would in any case feel obliged to refer any matter of
this kind to Washington.
6. In these circumstances it seems very desirable that,
before approaching Chiang Kai Shek, we should make sure of
American support for our proposal.
If these negotiations, first
with the Americans and then with the Chinese, are conducted through
the usual channels there is a danger that they may drag on for
several months, whereas as indicated in paragraph 1, time may be
very short.
Peign
I have consulted the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
and the Secretary of State for War, and in our view it is important
that the preliminary approach to the Americans should be on the
highest possible level. Would you be prepared to take the
opportunity to raise this matter with President Truman, to impress
upon him the importance which we attach to it, and to ask him to
ensure that the U.. Chiefs of Staff and General Wedemeyer support
our proposals when we put them to Chiang Kai Shek?
ры