CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939 — Page 66

NATIONAL

SCHEM

[TUDIO ATRA

NEW

Telephone No.: WHITEHALL 1234.

In my reply

please quote Regd. No.

S. 42313/2.

665

TREASURY CHAMBERS,

WHITEHALL, S.W.1.

27th January, 1939.

Dear Cowell,

3362

With reference to your letter of January, 11th

53838/2/38), regarding the refugees from Shanghai and

other parts of China, the provision in the Diplomatic and

Consular Estimates was specifically stated to cover the cost

of transport and maintenance in Hong Kong of British subjects,

and the Foreign Office are correct in refusing to accept

liability for the "White Russians" and other non-British

subjects who were not evacuated by His Majesty's Consul

General at Shanghai.

We feel doubtful whether a charge could be accepted

to public funds in respect of the relief given to these

people. There is no Parliamentary authority for extending

the scope of relief already approved and it is difficult to

see on merits why the taxpayer here should pay for the

maintenance of "White Russians" and the other non-British

refugees in question who have succeeded in getting into

Hong Kong with the general influx.

We appreciate the burden on the Hong Kong

H. R. Cowell Esq., C.M.G.,

Colonial Office.

Government