STATEMENT FROM BRITISH CIVILIAN WHO ESCAPED FROM HONG KONG..
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(1) The following information was given by a civilian doctor who escaped from Japanese control. He had been resident in and around Hong Kong for nineteen years and may be regarded as a reliable witness. He eventually
eft Kowloon in mid-January, 1943, and left Karachi for the United Kingdom on 18th February, 1943.
During hostilities he had medical charge of a hospital and the health organisation, and on the fall of Kowloon and Hong Kong was interned, first in the School House with other doctors (European and Chinese). In mid- January he was released and employed first in Kowloon Hospital, then in the Chinese Hospital. He was later confined to the Kowloon Hotel and later proceeded to Hong Kong.
(2) General conditions and treatment of residents. Informant had no first-hand knowledge of conditions immediately after capitulation, but Chinese doctors, who were free to move about, informed him that Indian civilians were behaving disgracefully. They were stated to have gone out
to meet the Japanese and many wealthy merchants, as well as labourers, welcomed the Japanese and were prepared to co-operate. In Hong kong the bulk of the civilians had been interned but a few were living on The Peak. The feeling on all sides was bitter against the Indian Police and civilians the Chinese complaining regarding the behaviour of the Sikh Police. Informant, however, personally incurred no unpleasantness and stated that when he had to pass through cordons or by guards, the Indians never examined him unless, the Japanese were standing by and even then only perfunctorily. The Irish priests and other neutrals found Indians quite friendly, except at Stanley, where Indian inspectors, when on duty, threatened to shoot on sight.
The attitude of the Japanese in a short while produced a complete reversal of the desire to co-operate and Indians soon realised that there was nothing for them but serfdom under Japanese rule. This change was noticed by all, even those who had previously been bitter towards the Indian civilians. Events leading to this change appear to be that the Japanese had confiscated nearly all the Indians' property, had promised to give them food (wheat or atta) but provided mainly rice only, and he had knowledge of merchants who had been put through "third degree". Bribery was rife and large sums had to be given for small services.
(3) Business. All business ceased with the arrival of the Japanese, who instituted "monopolies" for fish, oil, cigarettes and essential foodstuffs; banks were closed and the black market flourished. Those with money were
The able to purchase necessities at about three times the monopoly price. fact that the Japanese were not bringing food into the Colony made it difficult for those without sufficient funds to pay black market prices.
(4) Indian Army. The informant had no direct information regarding the condition of Indian prisoners immediately after the fall of Hong Kong, as he was then interned. He received reliable information that the prisoners at Argyle Street Camp were behaving badly and refused to co-operate even in camp routine. Although the camp was modern and well built, ( it was intended for interned Indian soldiers in 1938); the Indians were completely unsanitory minded and refused to help keep the camp clean. Even in the early days, it was admitted that the Japanese had not had the success with the Indians that they expected from their propaganda. The prisoners were divided according to their political views - those who remained steadfast; those who co-operated, and the indifferent men. All except those willing to co-operate received bad treatment, whilst the co-operators were released. This attracted many to pretend to co-operate but the result was that they went into the streets of Hong Kong where they found that food was to them unpurchasable and that whereas in the prison camp they received meagre rations, outside they received nothing at all. Their so-called willingness to co-operate turned to hatred of the Japanese. The Japanese tried all methods to suborn the Indians by broadcasting and by promises. On the
whole
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