CO537-1658 — Page 59

2.

will be for me in consultation with my Executive Council to consider whethe

the evidence which has already been adduced or which may be adduced in the future by the Chinese Authorities against Mr. Shum, taken in conjunction wit

any evidence which he may adduce during the inquiry to disprove the charge

or to prove that he is a British subject, is sufficient to justify his

surrender to the Chinese Authorities. The contents of the two petitions

will of course be taken into consideration by myself and my Executive

Council in dealing with the application for Mr. Shum's surrender, In this

connection I invite reference to your telegram No.50456 (CAL) to the Chief Civil Affairs Officer in which the proviso was made that the requests of

Chinese Authorities for the surrender of quislings should be met as far as

is practicable if I am reasonably satisfied that the persons concerned are

genuinely wanted on grounds of collaboration with the enemy and are not

ordinary political refugees. Although Mr. Shum is not a political refugee

it is possible, in view of the contents of his petition and especially

paragraphs 31 to 35, that his alleged acts of collaboration are not the

true reason for the application for his surrender.

3.

Alternatively you may

I suggest that your reply to the petitions might be deferred

until I am able to inform you what action has been decided upon in regard

to the application for the surrender of Mr. Shum.

wish to inform the petitioners at once that you are not prepared to inter-

fere with the discretion of the Governor-in-Council in dealing with the

application.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Mark Town

н

GOVERNOR.