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months at Stanley, the persons directly at fault were the Chinese pro Wang Chi Wei supervisors appointed by them to administer the internees. I lay the strongest emphasis on this, and I most urgently request that whatever use is made of these notes for propaganda purposes that the strongest emphasis is laid on this aspect. That Chinese traitors are mainly responsible for the distressing aspects of internment. at Stanley will not only appeal to our many friends in China but I feel sure that it lead to the curtailing of their authority over our people at Stanley, and to much improved treatment already promised under more direct Japanese civil supervision. It is only more recently that the Japanese civil administration have taken over dealings with the internees. They cannot be held responsible for the previous disinterested attitude of the Army authorities towards us. As I have repeated above,
in Fraser's own words, I am most confident that the appointment of a Japanese Civil Administrator to the Camp will lead to much improved conditions in the early future. I emphasize again both the attitude of the new Japanese Civil Administrator on the one hand and the very reasonable attitude adopted both by him and the Japanese Military officer concerned in the case of the godown looting.
I as strongly emphasize the obstructionist squeezing attitude of Cheng Kwok Leung towards every resonable request and attempt by the Camp committee and representations to obtain improved conditions in respect of food and accommodation, In conclusion I would repeat that an impartial attitude in the manner of the treatment of foreign internees giving where merit is due will appeal most strongly to those many unknown Japanese soldiers and civilians who have performed unrecorded acts of kindness towards us foreigners in Hongkong
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I do not altogether agree with these remarks of Mr. Thompson's after all the Japanese are the enemy. The Chinese seem to think the traitors or some of them are really working for China.
Thompson goes on to say:
"I have omitted to mention an instance of good treatment
of some 90 British and Indian troops who were interned at Stanley Fort. About 5/3/42 they were removed to Shamshui Po Camp. They were marched to the Military Pier at Stanley with the evident intention of taking them round by sea. Owing to the rough sea their baggage alone was sent
and
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