CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 146

i

G. C, D, & Co.

SECRET

Intercepted I. 8. C. Place Caleutta

INDIAN CENSORSHIP

100 ADA 10.49

Date 19.3. 42

FROM:

To:-

D. 8. Chang,

Ine Fu La, Chungkin

Int. School "C".:::34 TRANSIT

Letter TAX-Date

Hr. F.C. VB,

43 Linnaean St.

Cambridge, Mas

11. 3.42

ALL

145

Previous References:-

Postmark

and date

CENERAL

SHPING

Ꮳ

Language

English.

Distribution."

Chief Censor, India. New Delhi (6)

MAY

Conditions in Homzkons

ORIGINAL:- Released

LETTER RELEASED

INI

BEC FO

COLM

Extrestes P.X. Chung is still not able to leave because the Jap have allowed him freedom with the understanding that he is to attend his office in the Central Bank everyday. He is in good health and seems to be well treated. Dr. V.W. Yem is staying at the Bengkong Hotel as Japanese "guest." All the civic leaders of Hongkong, of when were once knighted by the British King, have been forced by eircumstances to cooperate with the Japs. The Chinese people in Hongkong and Kowloon have been "encouraged" by the Japs. to evacuate as many and as seen as possible. But everyone was allowed to carry no luggage or more than HK$19. Rice in Hongkong as a result of the

All the metal

1.R.B.A1-9 Japanese caûupation has gone up to 1/200 a picul.

ares, rice, coal, flour, and other commodities useful to the Jap. army have been confiscated by the oecupying forces. This evacuation policy will enable the Japs to kill two birds with one stone: they are free from the responsibility of feeding the Chinese people and at the same time they have the advantage of looting or confiscating Chinese properties left behind. Mr. Chang told me that the Kowloon section was by far the worst looted tom he knew of.

One immediate effect of these reverses in the South is the soaring prices of combdities in Changking. Here are a few examples to illustrate what it means to live in Chungking and what expert if Burma falls into Japanese handes

One pound of Klin milk powder which used to cost about H2 is now

wee in Chungking;

One pound of native made sugar is $13.00;

One pound of bread made of Chinese flour is $3.00;

One pair of Chinese made leather shoes is $500,

A Chinese made shirt is from $20 up;

A pair of native made Chinese style shoes costs $80;

One tabe of American toothpaste costs $50;

One package of 18 Chinese made cheap cigarettes costs $7.00.

Although we have huge loans from America and Britain │I doubt very nnch that they can have any immediate or direct benefit

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