CO129-591-13 Military Administration- proposed civil Affairs Agreement with China 20-7-1945 - 11-8-1945 — Page 26

A most embarrassing situation may therefore arise in the event

of Hong Kong being liberated by Chinese forces unless there is

clear agreement with Chiang Kai Shek in advance as to our role

in the administration of Hong Kong.

5.

General Wedemeyer's position as Chief of Staff to the

Generalissimo is such that any agreement of this nature, and the

measures necessary to implement it, would in practice require

his support and co-operation.

Both the British G.0.6. in China

and General Carton de Wiart have formed the impression that

General Wedemeyer is personally opposed to any action by the

British in China directed to the reoccupation of Hong Kong, and

that he would in any case feel obliged to refer any matter of

this kind to Washington.

6. In these circumstances it seems very desirable that,

before approaching Chiang Kai Shek, we should make sure of

American support for our proposal.

If these negotiations, first

with the Americans and then with the Chinese, are conducted through

the usual channels there is a danger that they may drag on for

several months, whereas as indicated in paragraph 1, time may be

very short.

Peign

I have consulted the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,

and the Secretary of State for War, and in our view it is important

that the preliminary approach to the Americans should be on the

highest possible level. Would you be prepared to take the

opportunity to raise this matter with President Truman, to impress

upon him the importance which we attach to it, and to ask him to

ensure that the U.. Chiefs of Staff and General Wedemeyer support

our proposals when we put them to Chiang Kai Shek?

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