54058/41
No. 177.
RECEIVED
- 2 SEP 1941
C. U. REGY
My Lord,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
12th August, 1941.
66.
40
34 / 54058/H
I have the honour to forward herewith in triplicate a letter signed by the members of the Evacuation Representation Committee which represents locally the interests of the husbands and relatives of the women/who were evacuated from Hong Kong last year.
2.
and children
The facts of the evacuation are well known to Your Lordship and Your Lordship's advisers, and no good purpose would be served by comment upon the second paragraph of the enclosed letter, except to say that in my opinion the phrase "the mental, moral and financial strain is reaching the breaking point" is an exaggeration of the facts. I do not wish to underrate the unhappiness caused by the evacuation: I know that in many cases it is intense and that in several instances enforced separation has led to the wreck of marriages which in other circumstances might have continued happily. These griefs are embittered by resentment at the discrimination which they allege characterized the evacuation: here again there has been and still is great exaggeration. But after allowing full weight for these feelings I do not consider that the morale of the European population has sunk as low as is represented.in the enclosure. So far as the financial strain is concerned, I have stated publicly that I am prepared to consider further financial assistance if a fully proved case is put up.
3.
The only statement which I wish to contradict in the enclosure is that there are four hundred children of pure British birth still in the Colony. I understand that the real number slightly exceeds one hundred. I dealt fully with the subject of the British women who are still here in a broadcast, copy of which was sent to Your Lordship under note of July 5th.
4.
As the petitioners themselves point out, this is a conflict between psychological necessity and military necessity: I much regret that the latter consideration does not permit me to make a recommendation in favour of the petition at the present time.
d
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
/. his houthern
Governor.
LORD MOYNE OF BURY ST. EDMUNDS,
D.S.O.,
&C.,
&C.,
&C.
f
Page 40Page 41
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.