CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 98

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Mr. Tan:

Vice-Consul:

Mr.

Tan:

Vice-Consul:

Mr. Tan:

Vice-Consul:

Mr. Tan:

Vice-Consul:

Mr. Tan:

In the event of an invasion of Malaya by the Japanese, overseas Chinese will certainly assist Britain in driving out the enemy. This is the duty of local overseas Chinese as well as the spirit which Chinese must possess.

As regards wartime food and transport problem in Malaya, will overseas Chinese also render assistance to Britain?

Certainly. Overseas Chinese will willingly do anything that will safeguard Malaya.

It is said that many Chinese in the employ of the Japanese are engaged in conducting propaganda and destructive work,

Do you know that?

The number of these shameless Chinese traitors is extremely small and their work is not effective. They cannot conduct their activites publicly. They will be attacked by patriotic overseas Chinese once they are found out.

What are the methods of destruction employed by them and the Japanese?

I understand there are three, viz: written and oral counter-propaganda and the despatch of counter-propaganda documents. Such documents are not effective and will be thrown away by overseas Chinese when they are received.

Are there any tools of Wang Ching Wei in Singapore to conduct propaganda on his behalf?

The number is very small. At any rate they cannot pursue any activities owing to the strictness of the Malayan Government.

The announcement, on the 28th July, that the United States of America had notified Japan of the proposed abrogation of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the two countries helped to reassure Chinese public opinion, His Excellency the Governor and High Commissioner at a meeting of the Legislative Council of the Colony held on the 31st July made the following announcement:-

"I make no apology for saying a few words on a subject

which for the past few days has been the subject of widespread comment: I mean the Anglo-Japanese declaration issued on July 24th.

In respect of this the Prime Minister said in the House of Commons: The declaration does not connote any change of the British Government's policy in China.'