CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 106

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Mr. Gent 8/8

Mr. Lee 8/8

xSir H. Moore 9/8

xPermt. U.S. of state at once 9

53838/50

CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies

to the Governor of the Straits Settlements.

Sent 7.0 p.m.

9th.ugust, 1939.

Secret and Personal.

House.

Your telegram No.45 Secret and Personal Government

I was glad to have your appreciation of local opinion and shall be glad to have further reports from time to

time.

Possibly recent decisions to strengthen forces in Malaya have had beneficial effect together with most recent pronouncements last week in Parliament.

You will no doubt use suitable occasions to

guide local opinion on policy of His Majesty's Government in Far East and to discountenance impressions of British weakness.

Steps are being taken to ascertain whether Foreign Publicity Department of Foreign Office propose to issue periodic publicity material relating to the Far East which could be sent to you for such local use as would be appropriate.

Copy for 6645/3A

105