CO129-536-6 Anti-Japanese Riots 28-9-1931 - 25-2-1932 — Page 75

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SECRETRAGER

From: G.0.C. Hong KoTELEGRAM.

To:

The Jer Office,

repeated Shanghai, Tientsin, Singapore, C.-in-C.

and Minister.

Desp. 1955 27/9/31 Rec. 1000 28/9, 31

1619 cipher 27/9.

Since September 23rd, which Chinese observed as a day of

humiliation, considerable anti-Japanese feeling has boen

displeyed by Chinese community in Hong Kong, which culminated in

military assistenoc being asked for by Governor. On Friday

September 25th police stated that no serious trouble was anticipated

by them and this was agein repeated at 1030 hours on September 26th.

At 1330 hours September 26th Governor asked for one officer and

fifty men to stand by in Hong Kong and same number in Kowloon from

1800 hours. At about 1900 hours serious trouble arose in

Kowloon which resulted in military assistance being called for.

Matters in Kowloon got steadily worse which resulted in 8 officers

and 187 men Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 9 officers

(3 British officers and 6 Indian officers) and 246 3/9th Jat

Regiment being out on duty by midnight, whereas Hong Kong remained

quite quiet. No doubt police would have been completely

overwhelmed in Kowloon but for military assistance. Rograt to

state five Japanese were brutally murdered and mutilated in one

houso before arrival of troops on scene. Police fired few

shots but no shot wes fired by military.

In spite of being

stoned from cll sides both acted with commendable restraint.

Our casualties last night one officer end eight men Argyll and

Sutherland Highlenders but not serious.

Copy to Commodore and Governor Hong Kong.

I. C.4. (Telegrams) Copies to:- ARMY COUNCIL, D.1.0. & 1. D.D.11.0.& I. M.0.1.1.1. H.1.1.2.20.3.30. D.P.3. D.R.O..of S.for Foreign Affairs, F.0.(Mr.Orde), First Lord of Admiralty, Sir Frederick Field, Ad. (D.N.I.), Ad. (D.O.D.), Ad. (p.of P.), s.of .for Air, Sec. (Air Ministry), C.A..(Air Ministry), D.C... (Air Ministry), D.D.0.1.(Air Ministry), 3.of 3.for Colonies, Sir J.3.Shuckburgh (Colonial Office) Mr.Clauson (Colonial Office), 2.of 5.for India, Col.Freeland (Indie. Office).