CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 63

53838/48/39.

DRAFT ON 53838/48/39

SECRET.

30

63

12 september,1939.

From Straits.

17.8.39

To do. 2.9.39.

Dear Donald,

I enclose (1) a copy of letters which the

Secretary of State has exchanged with Sir Shenton Thomas,

Governor of the straits Settlements, (2) a copy of

From HongKong correspondence which I have had with Sir Geoffry Northcote, 14.8.39

12.9.39.

Governor of Hong Yong.

The text of both Governors'

letters may be said to be taken from the effect on local

Chinese opinion o: the announcement of the decision to

hand over the four Tientsin men to the public authorities

for trial.

I don't know whether you can suggest any

particular means of helping the Governors in the sort of

difficulty which they have in mind. Possibly you may

consider that something could usefully be said to

Sir A. Clark-Kerr t encourage him to bear constantly

in mind the value to the Governors of the Straits

Settlements and Hong Fong of any early advice or

information which, with their experience, the Embassy

could give them for their guidance in any matter of

N.B. RONALD, ESQ., C.M.G.,C.V.O.

Chinese