15
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY thought that our reply to the Generalissimo should be to repudiate the suggestion that our action was high-handed and to explain that our orders regarding the re-occupation of Hong Kong, and our communication to him were antecedent to our seeing the orders issued by General MacArthur, these orders did not specifically mention Hong Kong, which was moreover, a British
possession.
It was important that there should be
'A'
an immediate reply in this sense, which would effectively dispose of any suggestion that we had behaved without. due consideration for the Chinese. Chinese "face" would be saved if a Chinese representative were to be present at the surrender.
view.
There was general agreement with this point of
GENERAL JACOB said that the Chiefs of Staff already had this matter under consideration and were about to make a recommendation to the Prime Minister that he should take the matter up direct with President Truman.
UBLIC
RECORD
OFFICE
10
THE COMMITTEE:
(i) took note of General Jacob's statement at
'B' above.
(ii) Invited the Foreign Secretary to arrange
for an immediate communication to be made to the Generalissimo on the lines of his suggestion at 'A' above.
(iii)
Took note that the Foreign Secretary
would consult with the Prime Minister regarding further action in the light of the discussion.