CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 109

Sickness.

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This information is based on talks with Colonel Ride:

Dysentery had already started before we left and the Japanese had refused medical or other aid. They blamed the camp authorities for the outbreaks, in a certain ironical sense this was, of course, true, as we had no proper sanitary arrangements and expected the camp authorities to deal with these outbreaks forthwith. In this connection, boiled water was made available when collecting the boiled rice.

SHUM SHUI PO is an endemic cholera area so that the summer may bring this further horror.

Malaria was already present, especially among the New Territory Troops and this will increase with the warm weather.

Fuel.

There had been no issue, as far as I know, of fuel for the Unit cooking galleys. There was a certain amount of wood from burnt and broken buildings which was being used for these galleys but even when we left, the shortage of fuel was beginning to make itself felt.

Treatment of Prisoners.

I saw positively no signs of interference with prisoners inside the camp. It is true that Japanese Sentries, helped by arm-letted Nanking "puppets" kept the streets outside the camp clear of people and later stopped any intercourse. whatsoever, but otherwise we were left severely alone. There were no sentries or guards circulating inside the camp, in fact, the only signs of Japanese control were a few sentries just inside the Main Gate.

On one occasion I saw two Japanese playing tennis with two British Officers on one of the camp tennis courts.

There was ample room for walking and even a certain amount of room for football and baseball in the camp.

I did hear of a Japanese band which on one afternoon, had come to "entertain" us.

In short, there was no sign of physical ill-treatment or, indeed, of interference by the Japanese inside the Camp.

I am neither competent, nor required, to estimate the probable effect of the British Government's statement of 10th March, 1942, on the treatment of Hong Kong prisoners, but, I trust that those responsible for this evident propaganda would bear in mind the possible danger to prisoners, resulting from such a direct frontal attack.