229
With thi
Inde
Wai
Compliments of the
*ale for Domînien
2 1 AUG 1945
(This is an unparaphrased version of a Secret cypher message and unless it is marked O.T.P. (One Time Pad) the text must first be paraphrased if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British and United States Government Services.)
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
W. R. 222/3/20 CYPHER (TYPEX }
54144
FROM:
D.0.
TO:
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
SOUTH AFRICA
O.D.
B.C.)
ACTING H.C.)
(H.C.)
(H.C.)
(Seut 2.40 p.m. 20th Aug., 1945.)
IMMEDIATE
Z. No. 67 SECRET.
My telegram 19th August D. No. 1804 Hong Kong,
It may be useful for you to know that we are endeavouring to play down sensational stories of a race between ourselves and the Chinese to receive Japanese surrender in Hong Kong and are indicating in reply to press enquiries that there is no foundation for suggestion that a serious Sino-British political issue has been raised. We underst and that Chinese Embassy in London is adopting similar attitude.
Be Line we are taking is that stories no doubt arise from the fact that Chieng Kai-shok is the Supreme Allied Commander in the China Theatre. But Hong Kong in a British colony and it is natural that it should be reoccupied by the forces of the sovereign power. Whole procedure for the rapid acceptance of the Japanese surrender at key points of which Hong Kong is one is boing alaborated in consultation between all concerned within the framework of a general plan under the Supreme Commander, General MacArthur.
Copy te:
F
SPECIAL
F.O. C.O
RECEIVED
4 SEP 1945
C. D. Raul
Mr. J.C. Sterndale-Bennett Mr. G.E.J. Gent
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