CO537-2192 — Page 103

9.

2.15.

A.

Q.16.

A.

giving prisoners and internees news of Allied progress and after the Japanese surrender, the approbation of the British authorities and of British internees was signified by written testimonials and I now produce photostatic copies of 2:

One from the then Secretary for Chinese Affairs the Hon. Mr. R.A.C. North, and the other from Mr. J.H. Keeble, now of No.16, Niagara Street, Pontypridd, South Wales.

It is clear from the above that not only had I and the editorial staff the intention (in the publication of our paper not to assist the enemy but that we had an intention in such publications to further the Allied cause with notable success and I distinctly challenge the advancement by any other Chinese paper published during the war years in occupied territory throughout the Far East of a better claim than the claim I now make of having succeeded, whilst outwardly pro- Japanese in form of publication, to frustrate Japanese pro- paganda and to disseminate Allied propaganda as we had done in our paper. It is perhaps ironical that it lieu of praise, my paper is the only one to receive censure in the form of publication of my name in the Chinese Traitors' List as a "cultural traitor". I ask that it be noted that I am the only one of hundreds of Chinese newspapermen connected with Chinese newspapers published in occupied territory during the war year whose name had been included in the Traitors' List. I am cer- tain that the request for my surrender is based on reason and motives other than a real belief in my guilt as a "cultural traitor".

Do you wish to tender any evidence either personally or by witnesses on any of the matters stated in your petition to the Secretary of State or on any other matter relevant to the charges against you not already dealt with in your previous answers?

Yes, I wish to tender evidence myself in support of all of the matters stated in my petition to the Secretary of State particularly in reference to the matter stated in support of my contention that this demand for surrender is a specious one with a view to obtaining control of the Wah Kiu Yat Po and I desire to call not only some of the witnesses already mentioned but also the following:-

(a) Sim Tai Wan and the said Shum Hip Tong in proof of my

Hong Kong birth.

(6)

Lee Iu Cheung and Wai Po Cheung (whose Statutory Declara- tions I now produce) in support of my contention that I had remained in Hong Kong throughout the war years; and

(c) Leung Shiu Chung and Ho Kin Cheung of the editorial staf:

of the Wah Kiu Yat Po.

Have you anything further to add?

I have this to add in respect of the actual publication of the Wah Kiu Yat Po during the occupation period. Apart from aiding the Allied cause by insidious propaganda, the Wah Kiu Yat Po during the occupation period devoted itself consistent. to the alleviation of distress and starvation in Hong Kong. During the occupation, most Chinese nationals here had to undergo extreme hardships and sufferings and the Wah Kiu Yat Po therefore raised through appeals made in its columns, millions of Japanese Military Yen to held the various chari- table institutions and free congee distributing centres; agail when the 'iung Wah Hospitals were faced with the prospect of closing down for lack of funds, the Wah Kiu Yat Po roused public interest through its columns and effectively helped