OUTWARD TELEGRAM
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be
kept under Lock and Key.]
(CYPHER]
No. 6970
DEPARTMENTAL NO. 2.
24
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO WASHINGTON.
D. 3.20 p.m. 16th December, 1941.
16th December, 1941.
0 0 0 0
MOST IMMEDIATE,
Announcement is being made here at once that in view of interruption of communications with Hong Kong and of business operations in the Colony, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation whose head office is in Hong Kong have taken steps to transfer control from Hong Kong to London. Under authorisation of His Majesty's Government and in accordance with wishes of the Chief Manager of the Bank, as communicated by the Governor of Hong Kong, Mr. Arthur Morse, the London Manager, is assuming position of Acting Chief Manager and all branches outside Hong Kong and enemy occupied territory are being instructed to accept orders from him and not from Hong Kong until further notice. New York branch of Bank is being asked to get in touch with you in case any necessity arises for official confirmation of this but no immediate action is necessary by you in default of such request,
For your own information this action is inter alia designed to prevent the Bank's assets in United States of America being frozen by the United States authorities in the event of Hong Kong falling into enemy hands. If freezing action is threatened you should at once make the Bank's position clear to United States authorities and should inform His Majesty's Government.
INDIV.
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