CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 118

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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117

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Paragraph 9.

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This is about H.E. The Governor, 3ir Mark Young Thompson says "As far as I can gather through Guerilla sources H.E. is obsely confined in Room 406 of the Peninsula Hotel. has been allowed no contact with the Secretariat or anyone else since the surrender. It is said and I repeat it for what it is worth that he is not permitted to look on the faces of any servents. I know no facts of his confinement".

I will give here a few notes I have mede re H.E. He took the surrender very keenly this I understand from Wing Commander H.T. Bennett, R.A.F., who was I believe Liason Officer between the Japanese and British Forces, I'm not sure if one had a Liason Officer between enemy forces but he certainly was our official Interpreter and was staying with the 0.0.0. at the time of surrender he said that H.E. on the evening of the 25th December 1941 sat in the corner of the drawingroom and literally retched. Apparently even the Japanese G.0.C. felt for him and treated him with the greatest courtesy and kindness send- ing him over to the Peninsula Hotel and then sending his personal boy over with his effects. Also, I have received the impression that the surrender came as a shock to H.E. as he wa: seen by A.J.R. Moss walking down Ioe House Street at about 1 pm. newa of the surrender was received at 4-30 pm. on the day of the surrender with only a Chinese Police Constable with him this was his usual procedure during the Ear- when he hailed Moss by name and asked him how his truck driving was faring. He appeared in the best of spirits. I later heard that H.E. refused to give the Japanese any assistance which they asked for in running the Colony. This last is purely rumour though and I cannot give

the source.

Paragraph 11 - American and Dutch Consulates.

Mr. V.P. Thompson's notes read as follows:

"As from about 9.3.42. interned in separately guarded establishment (Preparatory 3chool) at Stanley. No contact with Camp. Guarded by former Hongkong Police. Previously were confined somewhere in town."

I will add that actually they are guarded by former Hongkong Indian and Chinese Police and I understood that they were previously confined in their residences on the Peak, Also this Preparatory School was used, when we were first interned to house approximately one hundred and fifty British men who were, just before the American Consular Officials arrived, moved to the Indian Warders Quarters. The barbed wire around the garden was also removed and a white stone wall erected which was about eight feet high. I received the impression that the Consular Officials were confined to the building as they were often seen taking exercise on the flat roof of the building. I very seldom saw them in the garden. The removal of the barbed wire from around this building caused much speculation in the Camp and when it was found that Consular Officials were to be interned there it was argued that under International Law Consuler Officials may not be confined behind barbed wire and they are also to receive special proteqtion - this may explain the dareful watch that is placed over them. There is still barbed wire along the beach which is at the foot of the garden of this building. I believe they have their Chinese servants with them and from whet I saw were driven in in their own card. Certainly their Consul's Packard was parked in the garden. I am Low referring to Bruins, U.S. Consul and Acting Consul General when Southerd wea away from Hongkong.

Paragraph 10

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