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Newbiggin complained of severe bug bites and others complained of filth. At 3.0 this afternoon Colonial Sec. was taken a way under guard. We believe this to be the result of a very strong letter which he wrote a
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forple afdsys+fo evening or whilst we were half way through, the A.G. came in and before he began his meal, he made a speech, which we all, without exception took to be in the worst possible taste. The speech was Ò the effect that the Colonial Sec. had been interned and now that he yas virtually the head of the Goverment He also stated that in future all members of the staff would be fed by the mess (some of us had been feeding out due to shortage of food) which w as using food supplied by the Japs. "There is now no Government in existence and we are being fed by the new Government, Government House no longer exists nor is there any Goverment house staff".
Feeling is running very high amongst us and it was a very good thing that he disappeared immediately after dinner.
7th Jan. 1942.
"Instructions to Internees" have been received which to say the least of it are simply outrageous.
Supplies of food consist of rice. flour. sugar and salt and a certain amount of coal for cooking, All other food stuff is left out and orders are that even this must be paid for. Consuls of each nation will be responsible for the welfare of their men. and consuls' wives will be responsible for the women. S.C.A. to be responsible for British women. Special food will be supplied to babies and invalides. All writing materials. books. pencils. pens and cameras are prohibited and any offender will be dealt with a ccording tonMilitary Law. Every one must swear an oath not to be a member of any party at war and must be loyal to Japan. Treatment of foreign nationals would be based on the treatment meted out to Japanese interned in alien countries.
Further complaints were received today regarding the conditions existing in the internees hotels. Reports ofdyssentry amongst children at Tai Koon are being received and protests are being made by this office. Stories are also filtering in that Eurasians, naturalised Eritish subjects, Chinese married to British subjects are not being interned. although several Chinese women married to soliders have gone in voluntarily.
Discrimination will again crop up and when all these women are put into one camp. the colour bar will crop up again and there will once more be conf.sion and discontent. Also the Peakites and the Kowloonites are not going to help towards a peacefully run camp.
Women with children are already finding it difficult. not only on account of cramped conditions. but lack of milk, proper food and sanitary conditions.
The police were interned today at Mee Chow hotel. Met George Moss looking very spick and span. Most of them have discarded all their badges and stripes and crowns. but he still had his. Made a remark to him about it.
said "I see you still have your crown on your cap. haven't the Japs taken it yet" (most of them had their caps knocked off and crowns torn from their sleeves and caps)" He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a handful of crowns and said "if they do. I have plent, more and shall replace everyone they take off". They went in this afternoon. The police in general are beginning to look a sad bunch. untidy and illkept, most of them have grown beards but their clothes are dirty and torn. Some of them have nothing but one suit of uniform.
Whilst we were sitting around the fire after dinner tonight at about9.30 the door opened and in walked the C.S. He looked very tired and weary and said he had had a shattering time. He had been lddged in No. 9 cell at Central police station. As we thought, it was on account of the letter which he had written.
8th Jan, 1942.
Nothing much doing in office. Most of the Europeans have now been interned and few enquiries coming in. No further progress regarding casualties. Reports coming in of foul conditions in hotels. The people are not allowed out for exercise and they are far too overcrowded. All books. pens, etc,. have been confiscated. They are also complaining of insufficient food.
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