400/5 Origin 54144 god
54144/22/45
TOP SECRET.
To C. in C. B.P.F.
130032A August
DATE: 13.8.45
Info: C. in C. East Indies
FROM:
Admiralty.
IMPORTANT
NAVAL CYPHER (DD)
Following is text of proclamation of British Military Administration of Hong Kong concerning which you will receive instructions in a further signal:-
B
Begins British Military Administration, Hong Kong, A Proclamation to establish a Military Administration.
Whereas the forces of the enemy have surrendered to the forces of His Britannic Majesty and His Allies and whereas I Flag Officer Commanding British Naval forces am in supreme command of the Forces of His Britannic Majesty in the colony of Hong Kong now liberated by and under the control of those forces and whereas by reason of military necessity and for the prevention and suppression of disorder and the maintenance of public safety it is necessary to place the colony and the New Territories and its dependencies under a Military Administration pending the restoration of the Civil Government. Now I do hereby proclaim
Article 1
Establishment of a British Military Administration
A Military Administration, to be called the British Military Administration, is hereby established throughout the colony of Hong Kong.
Article 2
Assumption of Powers and Jurisdiction
I hereby assume for myself and my successors full judicial, legislative, executive and administrative powers and responsibilities and exclusive jurisdiction over,all. persons and property throughout the Colony of Hong Kong.
Article 3
Existing Laws to be Respected
Subject to the provisions of any Proclamation, enactment or order of the British Military Administration and in so far as military exigencies permit:
(a) all laws existing immediately prior to the Japanese occupation will be respected and administered;
(10) all rights and properties will be respected; provided that rights and properties acquired or alleged to have been acquired during the period of Japanese Occupation will be subject to investigation and to such action as justice may require.
J 1
46
/Article 4