8.
198
they had been involved in accidents. The city was desolated and the scene in general was heartbreaking.
Food supplies are getting scarce and meals are now being served only twice perday, 10.0 to 12.0 and 4.0 to 6.0 and the food is dreadful.
From the roof today we saw 17 naval ships in harbour, including three of their new type cruisers and two or three large destroyers which look like flotilla leaders. Hongkong Bank, Exchange Building. and many of the large buildings are flying the Sun, alsɔ Murray Barracks and the Dockyard.
On top of our building and the Exchange building are two large white sheets attached to the flag pole. There is no breeze and they look a sorry spectacle.
27th December 1941.
I am getting worried about the large numbers of soldiers in the Colony. Today I watched the parade merely out of a desire to see how many troops there were. I fear for the safety of the women. I have already approached the Cons late and asked if I can be of any assistance to them. It is approaching their New Year and from past experience I know how they
With a few drinks celebrate, and their holiday lasts for four days. anything might happen and the reports about what has happened at Courtlands are not at all pleasant, The women from Courtlands are now housed on the 8th floor lounge. After last night's episode they are afraid to stay there. A Jap. officer asked for the manageress and when she appeared he said "Bring me food and a couple of English beauties". As he was alone the barracaded their doors with furniture and moved out today.
28th December. 1941.
During a call at Dina House with P.W. met Dr, Valentine who told me they had been looking for me regarding the question of the welfare of our women. I explained that I had been to the consulate but did not appear
Te welcome. He then took me to see Lt, Col, Iguchi the Jap, D.M.S. discussed the question of prostitutes and the brothel system, and I
He stated explained to him that there were no licensed houses in H.K. that he knew there were large numbers of girls in the Colony and that
He he wanted to organise as quickly as possible a licensed quarter. produced maps and I marked out on them and areas where these girls might be found and offered to contact them for him. He asked me to meet him later in the afternoon and to take him around the areas personally and show him where these girls lived. He said they were prepared to pay them, examine them and clean them up if necessary. He further explained that there were some 40,000 troops on the island and that New Year was coming on and that if some system was not started immediately he could not guarantee the safety of the women. At 5.0 pm I went with him in his car and showed him the various houses in each district where prostitutes could be found. I know them personally and have often visited the houses in the course of my work. I offered to see the girls and talk to them. I explained very carefull that not all the houses were brothels but only a certain n mber and that I would be willing to help him contact the girls. My offer was politely but firmly refused.
The Gloucester today refused to supply us with food. as there is now no longer a Covernment, so we shall have to get it outside. There are a few places open.
Reverting back to Iguchi, he asked me how many girls there were in the Colony who were prostitutes. I explained to him the difficulties since the fall of Canton, and gave him a random figure. He said "the trouble with H.K. is that there are far too many people" I asked him what he proposed to do about that. and he replied "The H.K. Govt. failed, we will not fail, we will send them back to the country by force if necessary".
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.