CO129-580-3 Sino-Japanese War- anti-Japanese activities in Hong Kong 23-8-1939 - 30-12-1939 — Page 25

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Shanghai and, later, Governor of Kwangtung; he expressed

the opinion that General Wu's subordinates had been

responsible for the murder on 22nd August, 1939, of

Sham Sung, agent in Hong Kong of Wang Ching Wei, and

for the intimidation of printers engaged in the production of the two pro-Wang Ching Wei newspapers,

although he admitted that he was not in a position to

Provide evidence to that effect.

At a subsequent visit on 26th September Mr.

Tajiri handed the Acting Colonial Secretary a

Aclosure No.1emorandum of which a copy is enclosed, which, he stated,

represented the action which the Japanese would like to

also enclose a copy of the reply sent Enclosure No.2.see taken.

with my approval. Mr. Tajiri was transferred to

Shanghai early in October, and his successor Mr. Katsuo

Okazaki has not so far resumed the discussion.

4.

Meanwhile the Police had been conducting

an investigation into the activities of General u in

Enclosure No.3. Hong Kong and I enclose a memorandum prepared by the

I

Secretary for Chinese Affairs which is based mainly on

the result of their enquiries.

5.

In this connection I would invite reference

to my personal letter to Mr. Gent dated 25th September, 1939, with its enclosures in which I expressed the view that it was highly undesirable that Hong Kong should be

made a centre for Chinese political intrigue.

6.

I venture to express the hope that you concur

Enclosure No.4.

with my intention to discourage subterranean political

activities as far as is possible.

I do not propose

to interfere with the openly-established agencies of

the Chinese Government, though it would follow that this

policy must be extended equally toward the Japanese

Government should they seek to establish such agencies

here. Admittedly in some cases it may not be easy to

distinguish between legitimate and undesirable

organizations of this nature, but it should not be

impossible. I enclose for your information a list of

the existing legitimate organizations.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

f. As. howtherto

Governor.

P.S. Copies of this despatch have been sent to His

Majesty's Ambassadors at Tokyo and Shanghai.