CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 189

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FURTHER NOTES ON CONDITIONS IN HONGKONG fron material gathered at the Calcutta Censor Station up to 12th, May, 1942

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A remarkably full, and convincing report of general conditions in the Colony has just been intercepted and is quoted in full at the beginning of the Notes. The scurce is given by Dwight W. EDWARDS, of the International Committee of the Y.M.C.A. as "an Australian Chinese who escaped and is now in Chungking" The covering letter from Mr EDWARDS is dated May 5th, 1942, from Y.M.C.A., Chungking.

2. The other letters quoted confirm a good many of the points covered in this Report, as do lotters quoted in the Second Report on Conditions in Hong Kong issued by this Censor Station.

3. As all the sources drawn on appear to be reliable and based on first-hand or good second-hand information, these Notes are not arranged according to sources as were the two previous issues. They are arranged under subject matter to make comparison and checking easier for the reader.

4.

The chief new points of interest are as follows! -

(1)

The walling in of the American Consular staff apart from the ordinary internees.

(2) The lack of medicines in the camps.

(3) Reported closing of camp canteen from which internees who had any money could supplement their rations.

Apparent shortage of food outside the camps as well.

(4)

Children under four appear to have now neither milk nor solid rations.

Naturalisation is NOT recognised by the Japanese.

(5)

(6)

(7)

Business is almost at a standstill.

(8)

5.

French property is not interfered with.

It is also noteworthy that more information has come from the American than from the British camp. No letters have yet been seen from any British or Dutch internes, nor do the Chinese from British Missions seem so active in getting out and giving news as do those of the American Colleges and Missions. One is forced more than ever to the deduction that the Americans are definitely better off than the other internees, and this is partly due to their own enterprise and initiative as well as to the Japanese.'

PART I

COPY OF REFORT ON HONG KONG alluded to in para 1 above. N.B. This is an interesting and intelligent Report,

I was

CHURCHES. Chinese churches are carrying on as usual. told that a Norwegian was preaching at St. John's Cathedral, kut this was unconfirmed. Churches are organising parties to come to Free China. Many have already cone, mostly young people. St. Andrew's Church Hall is being used as a rice distribution centre by the Civil Administration. The Catholic churches are carrying or.

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