OUTWARD TELEGRAM
A Gent
[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be
retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on.]
{CYPHER]
CABINET DISTRIBUTION
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO CHUNGKING
No. 971
23rd August 1945
D. 5.35 p.m. 23rd August 1945
Repeated to Washington No. 8738 Immediate
S.A.C.S.E.A. No. 410 Immediate
MOST IMMEDIATE
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TOP SECRET
35A My immediately preceding telegram.
We should prefer to take no official cognisance of the statements made in this press message, but they make it all the more essential to clear up the position with Chiang Kai-shek without delay. The instructions referred to in paragraph 2 of my telegram No. 967 were of course given on the assumption that Hong Kong would be surrendered to a British force only. See my immediately following telegram (not to Washington) which contains the text of a telegram sent today by the Chiefs of Staff to the Joint Staff Mission in Washington.
2. I leave you to handle the matter in Chungking as you think best. But it seems essential that Chiang Kai-shek should inform both you and General Wedemeyer with the least possible delay (and preferably in each other's presence in order to avoid possible misunderstandings that he accepts our assurances and that so far as he is concerned the way is clear for the issue by General MacArthur of the necessary instructions for the Japanese in Hong Kong to surrender to the Commander of the British Naval Force.
3. Since above was drafted I have received your telegram No. 909 to which reply will follow as soon as possible.
O.T.P.
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