CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 93

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The Chinese Population

The European Population

Japanese Propaganda

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given food and lodging by the Goverment of Macau. Many people took advantage of this offer. Those who remained in the Colony were people who hoped to find employment soon.

Those who could, have escaped. The Japanese urged evacuation, yet in many ways they hindered it. Transportation difficulty, medical examination and all sorts of food problems. In truth, the Japanese are keen to get rid of the poorer classes of Chinese, but wish to keep the better educated. Some students tried to evacuate, but were taken back and detained.

With the exception of Third Nationals, most of

these are interned. Civilians at Stanley, and others at North Point and Shumsuipoo. Their condition is getting from bad to worst. Many are already suffering from Beri-beri. There were cases of dysentry in several of the Camps in Feb. and Mar.

Those not interned expected to be by Mar. 31st. They were allowed free in order to perform some duty. The food problem is very great. Rice and beans. In Feb. children had a small supply

of special food, but that supply was stopped middle of Mar.

There is absolutely no communication with internees. These people must be gotten out of the internment camp soon, otherwise many will die as a result of malnutrition and outbreak of diseases. (Dysentry and cholera likely in the summer months.) The camps are over-crowded. The internees are run-down and most depressed. Something must be done to get them out.

They make use of language schools, newspapers, cinemas and theatres.

They have celebration processions (Ex. to celebrate the fall of places) Chinese people, especially prominent ones, are obliged to take part. Everyone has to wave two Japanese flags and smile.* In return for the effort, each individual gets a bag of five tea cakes. Students from the University, various boarding schools, and nurses from all hospitals are commanded to attend Japanese processions. Some forms of propaganda are very subtle. There is the danger that too many people do not think for themselves. It seems they have put their brains into cold storage for the duration.