H
v. redraft No.6.
Draft
4
Civil Affaire Directive to the Senior Officer
171
Commanding His Britannic Majesty's Forces in Hong Kong,
It is assumed that
1.Upon the surrender of Hong Kong to His Majesty's Forces you assumed by Proclamation full powers and jurisdiction over persons and property in Hong Kong, and established a British Military Administration throughout the Colony.
20 In order to enable you to carry on the Military Administration of Hong Kong, a Chief Civil Affairs Officer, Brigadier D.M. MacDougall, has been appointed to administer the civil population on your behalf and subject to your direction, He has been furnished with a staff of officers, mado available so far as possible by the Colonial Office, from those who have
This C.4. knowledge of the Colony, the people and the language. Unit is intended to form the mucleus of the Staff of the Civil Government of the Colony when it is established.
3 The G.C.A.D. and a nucleus staff of key officers are proceeding by air with all.posalible speed. He will be furnished with a general directive on givil Affairs policy and with directives on particular matters of importance. (e.g.Financial Policy),
Azo The remainder of the Civil Affairs Unit will follow as transport Facilities become available.
50
Pending the arrival of the C.C.A.0., you will take such steps as your resources permit
an
(a) to maintain law and order,
(b) to render aid to civilian internees until they come under the control of some other responsible authority
(c) to control the influx of civilians by ses or land,
(d) to guard or secure public utilities, banks, buildings
likely to contain records, and any essential civilian supplies,
(e) to seize the Japanese Treasury and the Yokohama
Specie Bank,
As it has not been possible to provide the C.E.A.0. with adequate police force, it is possible that service personnel will be required to fulfil the majority of these fum tions for a considerable period after the establishment of the Military Administration
On the arrival of the C.C.A.0. you have authority to delegate to bin all or any of the powers which you have assumed by proclamation. In order to relieve yourself so far as possible of the detailed work of civil administration you should exercise this power of delegation to the maximum extent compatible in your judgment with military considerations. Delegated powers should,
however, remain subject to your orders and directions and will be revocable by you should military considerations make revocation desirable.
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