CO129-591-18 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements for Japanese surrender 15-8-1945 - 19-4-1946 — Page 152

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

152

birginal registered in 14802/2/45.

$775/456/00.

39B.

[THIS TELEGRAM IS OF PARTICULAR SECRECY AND SHOULD BE RETAINED

BY THE AUTHORISED RECIPIENT AND NOT PASSED ON].

[CYPHER].

No. 8822.

CABINET DISTRIBUTION.

FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO WASHINGTON.

August 25th, 1945.

D. 12.30 p.m. August 25th, 1945.

Repeated to Chungking No. 986. IMMEDIATE,

УУУУУУ

IMMEDIATE.

SECRET.

My immediately preceding telegram.

Following is my revised version of proposed statement.

[Begins].

As a result of reports from China public concern is quite understandably being expressed over the threat of civil strife in China between the forces of the Chinese National Government and the Chinese Communist forces and over the related and critical situation that may develop with regard to the surrender of Japanese forces in China.

2. It has been laid down in General Order No. 1. to be issued by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters by direction of General MacArthur as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers that the Japanese forces within China (excluding Manchuria) shall surrender to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek or his representatives.

==

It has been the consistent policy of the United States Government to encourage internal unity in China for prosecution of the war and to encourage the development of a strong democratic China. This continues to be our policy and we stand ready to assist the Chinese in any practicable manner toward a peaceful adjustment of

their internal difficulties and the achievement of political unity based on democratic principles. In view of the surrender procedure laid down in General Order No. 1 we do not believe that the issue now being raised by the Chinese Gommunist forces in regard to the surrender procedure of Japanese forces is conducive to the attainment of these objectives.

[Ends].

O.T.P.