CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 915

13031/10/45

00175

Perms. US. of S. Il rite

Party. U.S. of S.

Secretary of State.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Ret.

CO 537/1262

Flesse note that this copy is supplet subject to the National Archiver

t your use of it may be subject to copyngh

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed "Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives

March, 1946.

I note from the minutes of the

34th meeting of the Committee of the Chiefs

that they invited the War Office

of

Staff,

to examine and report upon the military

implication of the continuance of military

government in Hong Kong after the 1st April, 1946 for a further period.

With the agreement of the War Office,

Sir Mark Young

we originally planned for

to return to Hong Kong about the middle of March to take over from Admiral Harcourt.

a

This date was deferred for a fortnight on the receipt of the telegram from the

C.-in-C., Hong Kong, representing that the target date for the hand-over to civil

administration should not be before the

31st March. The C.-in-C. subsequently telegraphed to the Chiefs of Staff

(IZ 956 of 18th February) saying that it had been agreed with the Director of Civil

Affairs, ar Office, who was then visiting Hong Kong, that the hand-over to civil government should take place on mid-night

March 31st/April 1st.

We were on the point of making an announcement, in agreement with the War Office, that Sir Mark Young would be

returning

N

00176

returning to Hong Kong to resume his appointment as Governor at the end of March, and that H.M. has approved of the extension of his term to enable him to complete a year's duty in the Colony from the date of his return, when we from the above minutes, that the Chiefs of Staff were still considering the date of the hand-over.

ваш,

You will, I know, appreciate the difficulties in which we are placed by the uncertainty which

In particular, exists in regard to this date.

no firm arrangements can be made for Sir Mark Young's passage. I hope, therefore, that you will not think

it unreasonable if, in the circumstances, I urge

that a very early decision should be taken on the question whether the period of military administration is to be extended beyond the

31st March.

L

c.m

Ref.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

CO 537/1262

Please note that this copy is supplied subject in the National Archives

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' lealle! bonal Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

Page 915Page 916

e his appointment

"

and that H.M.

00176

f his term to

duty in the

urn, when we saw,

e Chiefs of Staff

of the hand-over.

ate the difficulties

ncertainty which

In particular,

e for Sir Mark Young's

at you will not think

umstances, I urge

ld be taken on

I of military

d beyond the

Please

Rela

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' lasere

6 that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copynghi