CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939 — Page 32

CORY FOR REGIST

CYPHER TALEGRAM from the Governor Hong Kong to the

Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Dated 22nd September, 1939.

No. 297.

24

32

Received at 8.20 a.m. on

R 2Chã de Comber, 1939.

25 SER1939

C.O. REGI

Addressed to Tokyo No. 75 of September 22nd,

repeated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies No.297,

Shanghai No.112, Canton No.95.

Following telegram No.202 received from Canton begins.

Japanese authorities have just announced that all Chinese

returning to Canton must be in possession of at least

Hong Kong 20 or National $ 60.

be allowed to land. Ends.

They will not otherwise

I presume that objects are to get hold of Hong Kong

currency and secondly to embarrass this colony by hampering

return of the class of person whom we are maintaining at the

Colony's expense. Immediate effect has been to prevent

repatriation of 200 refugees for whom accommodation was

reserved on ship travelling to Canton. No doubt it will

be represented that Hong Kong took exactly similar step but

where as any administration is justified in restricting

influx from foreign territory no such justification exists

in the case of refugees desirous of returning to own homes.

Japanese action also reflects doubt on the sincerity of their

expressed hope that the Cantonese would return home.

If opportunity occurs I should be glad if you and the

Consul General at Canton would represent accordingly to

Japanese authorities.

OF

Lalog