!3824B Wt. 47664/398 20m. 145 C.N.Ld. 748
C. O.
Mr.Paskin.
25.7.45
Gent 25.7
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
54144/38/45
Permi. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
July, 1945
Secretary of State.
TOP SECRET
(1)
2 DRAFT. LETTERS
THE RT. HON. ANTHONY EDEN,
(2)
M.C., M.Po
FOREIGN OFFICE.
ཉ་
THE RT. HON. SIR JAMES GRIGG,
K.C.B., K. C.S.I., L. WAR OFFICE.
Dft
Watc
Thinte to P.M.. (annexed).
FURTHER ACTION.
:
Following on a meeting of
representatives of the Foreign Office,
the War Office and the Colonial Office,
I have come to the conclusion that the
time has come to approach Generalissimo
Chiang Kai Shek with a view to reaching
an understanding with him as to the role
which we should play in the administra-
tion of Hong Kong in the event of its
liberation by Chinese forces, on the
X
lines of the agreement which we already
have with the Americans regarding the
British
administration of Borneo territories
in American operational spheres.
Owing to the fact that the Generalissimo'. S
Chief of Staff is an American General,
who is reported to be personally opposed
to any action by the British in China
directed to the re-occupation of
we
Hong Kong, I feel that, before approachir
Chiang Kai Shek, we should make sure
of American support for our proposal
and in view of the high political
issues involved I feel that our
preliminary approach to the Americans
should be on the highest possible level
/If