COPY FOR REGISTRATION
CYPHER TELEGRAM
12
110
FROM
0.A.G.
HONG KONG
D. 11th February, 1941. R. 11th
15.35 hrs,
IMPORTANT.
A
No. 105.
161/13133/11/40
Cozy to Least
сом
Registry: 12 FEB 941
with reference to previous telegrams ending with your telegram No. 481 of 1940, secret, regarding possible destinations for British subjects of non-European descent who wished to be evacuated from Hong Kong, with the exception of Fiji, appeals to other Goverments Tunsuccessful. I most strongly urge that every possible step be taken to persuade the Governments of territories such as Australia, India, Burma to relax ban on entry of such persons. Partly to allay charges of racial discrimination in evacuation I instituted a register last November for persons of any race who wish to send families out of Hong Kong in emergency, Government providing passages but not maintenance, at the same time making no promise that such evacuation would prove possible. Exclusive of Macao and Fiji, numbers probably will not exceed 500 at the most. In addition there are doubtless loyal British subjects of Chinese or other races who wish to and are financially able to evacuate their families but who are faced with the fact that, although British subjects, Empire is barred to them with the exception of Hong Kong. Type of persons who would go would be wealthier classes who would not become burden on receiving country.
(2)
General Officer Commanding agrees with me that the position of this Government in expecting loyal co-operation from British subjects of Asiatic race, while denying them refuge elsewhere in the British Empire, is a difficult one to maintain.
(3) Difficulties of territories concerned are fully appreciated but in view of small numbers involved, status of peracus who would go, and necessity on defence grounds for every possible step to preserve the Colony's loyalty, I urge further consideration of problem.
(4) Please treat as urgent.
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