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DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION.

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

Sir. Stevenson. No.789.

7th June, 1949.

Repeated to Singapore,

EMERGENCY

Hong kong, Shanghai.

D. 11.16 a. ill. 7th June, 1949.

R. 12.25 p.m. 7th June, 1949.

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.789 of 7th June repeated for information to Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Please repeat to Hong Long and if necessary to

necessar Singapore, Shanghai telegrams Nos. 217 and 218 to me so that if possible Mr. Alexander can discuss them on the spot.

2. The manner in which Mr. Alexander announced in the House of Commons on May 5th reinforcements of Hong Kong and its purpose could not (repeat not) have been bettered. But I share the view of the Shanghai British Chamber of Commerce that the tone of the press and radio publicity given since then to reinforcement is unfortunate.

q!