CO129-589-3 Sino-Japanese War- attack on medical convoy- Maryknoll Leper Mission 20-5-1941 - 14-8-1943 — Page 22

[Code R].

FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

Sir H. Seymour.

No. 654

14th June, 1943.

? eve?

D.

3.20 p.. 14th June, 1943.

R. 11.00 p.m. 14th Junc, 1943.

22

Your telegram No. 62.

Present cost of rice in leper colony area is Chinese national dollars 3,000 per picul. Payment of Hong Kong dollars

If Hong 6 per head buys each leper 11⁄2 lbs of rice monthly. Kong Government has moral obligation for full maintenance of these 196 lepers I recommend that grant be immediately increased to Chinese national dollars 750 per head per mensen which is present estim.ted cost of maintenance. Payments have been made on existing basis up to the end of May.

2. If sterling is paid to Bank of China London for account of Central Bank of China Chungking a subsidy of 50% may be obtainable as grant is for relief purposes. Monthly cost on this basis would be £1225.

3.

I should be grateful for instructions.

1 picul = 100 calties = 133=16

Ponthie

11⁄2 Ms

CNX750

196