SECRET
170
Jeal tary of State for the Colonies,
LONDON.
sir:
A large number of Hong Kong civilians, British, American and Dutch were interned on January 5th in Chinese Hotels. On January 21, and on subsequent days, they were removed to Stanley, and billited in the College, School bungalow, warders' apartments, and the quarters of the Indian guards. The camp occupies a triangle between the Stanley Police Station, and the north end of the Prison, the road on the east, and Tytam Bay on the west. This area is surrounded by barbed wire, which is flood lighted at night. The internees are under "protective custody" according to the Japanese authorities, because Hongkong 18 in the war zone. Therefore, they are not entitled to any special considerations. In any case, the Japanese authorities main- tain that they are receiving better rations than the Chinese in Kongkong or many Japanese in Japan, or people in occupied areas in Europe. There were 2,472 British subjects in the Stanley internment camp - 103 infants, 85 boys, 89 girls, 855 women, and 1,340 men on June 29th.
The internees were discouraged from taking much baggage either to the Hotels, or to Stanley. On arrival in Stanley, they had to clean and repair their quarters, many of which had been wreaked by bombs and shells. Rations were issued dry, and cooking facilities had to be contrived. Drinking water had to be boiled. No cooking utensils were provided, and there was a severe shortage of plates, spoons, cups and so forth. After the camp filled up, quarters were crowded, sanitary arrangements inadequate, privacy negligible, and there was a shortage of cots, bedding, blankets and personal clothing. Kitchen facilities were very primitive, and the volunteer cooks were handicapped because of the large number for which they had to cook. One kitchen prepared meals for over 700 people. Two meals were served, generally between 10 and 11 a.m. and 5 and 6 p.m. Hot water for drinking, or for making tea was available at frequent intervals. Internees did their own laundry, with inadequate facilities, and a shortage of hot water and soap.
I enclose a statement showing the basic rations, according to the scale laid down by the Japanese authorities, and the actual issue for February, March, April and May. These were maintained during June. In addition to the rations, a canteen was run by the internees. Supplies were difficult to secure, and were available for sale at infrequent intervals, Money was scarce, so many internees were unable to buy from the canteen. In May, parcels were allowed to be sent to
the camp.
A sum of Yen 300,000 was advanced by the Japanese authorities for the use of the internees. This amounted to approximately Yen 105. - per person, of which Yen 30.- was placed by general consent to the credit of the communal kitchens, and individual The Americans orders were made out by the internees for the balance.
had received their parcels to the value of approximately Yen 52.- early in June. The British internees were expecting theirs daily, but had not received them prior to June 29th. In view of the fact that many concessions were made to the Americans prior to their departure, it is
It was the general probable that these parcels will not be forthcoming. concensus of opinion that the British would not fare so well after the departure of the repatriation ship.
A make-shift Hospital was set up in the Wardens' Quarters at
The 85 beds were full most of the time. Tweed Bay.
Equipment was
Rations very limited. Washing had to be done outside the building. were inadequate for sick people. By the end of June, supplies of drugs of all kinds were giving out, and powdered and canned milk and
All these supplies should other provisions were practically exhausted.
be
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