JPY
MEMO.
SECRET
175
July 23rd, 1942.
The Colonial Secretary,
HONG KONG,
The problem of continuing to feed the internees in Hong Kong is one that is giving rise to considerable anxiety and in view of the difficulties likely to be experienced it appears to be imperative that as many people should be evacuated as possible. On the other hand it appears to be equally imperative that a nucleous of British officials and residents should remain in Hong Kong in order that no cause for anti British propaganda may be given that the British are abandoning Hong Kong. This latter aspect appears to me to be of vital importance.
On the other hand, if any scheme of repatriation is to be undertaken the morale of the camp is such that it is likely to meet with considerable opposition in spite of the fact that internees concerned are likely to realise that their presence in Hong Kong would not only endanger their own safety but that of others. Many members of the camp have yet to realise that they are subjects of the British Empire and must act in accordance not with their own personal interests but in the wider interests of British Imperial policy. The above aspect of the question cannot be over emphasised and is likely to lead to considerable embarrassment in the future. Steps are being taken as far as possible to educate public opinion but any efforts in this direction are likely to materialise slowly. How far any attempts to secure repatriation would succeed is a matter of considerable conjecture.
If a scheme is placed before the internees every effort will be made to secure as wide an acceptance as possible.
On the other hand those remaining behind will require almost immediate protection and supplies of food and drugs. These should be delivered by aeroplane as soon as possible after Hong Kong is abandoned by the Japanese. Hong Kong has been looted of almost all personal property of British subjects except that in their immediate personal possession and some considerable time must lapse before ordinary residences can be placed in a state of repair to render them fit for occupation. Many Chinese have left but there are still on the island armed robbers/
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