ORIGINAL
ON 53838/20/38
CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
24 32
Date: 23rd December, 1938.
Received 4.20 a.m., 23rd December.
No. 397.
47/53838/20/383hanghai
Addressed to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies telegram No.597 of 23rd December repeated to
Shanghai telegram No.239. My telegram No.555. Refugees
are still entering by steamer from various ports principally
Macno in a stream which tends to increase. During the last
two months 90,000 more persons have entered than have left the
Colony and excess population in the Island and Kowloon is
estimated at between quarter and half million. This is
exclusive of the refugees from across the border who have
mainly been held in the new territories.
(b)
After consultation with the Health Authorities
Executive Council reluctantly advise that further steps be
taken to check the flow in tho interests of the persons
already here. Measures in mind aro: (a) imposition of
daily quotas on refugees from the neighbouring ports.
.Presont landing conditions require each immigrant to prove
possession of 20 dollars: Proposed to raise to 100 dollars.
(c) Stricter enforcement of regulations authorising
unemployed persons to be put into camps. (d) Extension of
the camp system.
As (a) and (b) are likely to react specially on
Macao I am warning the Governor of my intentions,
Copy of letter follows under 3 p.n.
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