CO129-591-19 Liberation of Hong Kong- requests by Chinese Government before signing formal surrender 30-8-1945 - 14-9-1945 — Page 46

SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

DESPATCHED BY O.T.P.

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31st August, 1945.

Following from Chiefs of staff to General Hayes.

Reference G 1969 S.

In view of your meeting on 1st September, we are replying urgently to roints in your paragraph 2. Instructions on the rest of your telegram will follow later.

2.

Reference paragraph 2(a) Admiral Harcourt has now been told not to sign any surrender terms without further instructions. This is to cover the possibility that the conflict of opinion with the Generalissimo may not have been resolved before the date selected for the surrender to which we have no objection.

3.

4.

Reference paragraph 2(b). No objection.

Reference paragraph 2(c). You should point out that any further promise of port facilities at Hong rong must be subject to the satisfaction of Admiral Harcourt's requirements for Hong Kong itself and to the undertaking already given that so far as conditions of the port allow we will provide port facilities for Chinese troops involved in securing the surrender of Japanese forces in the hinterland,

You must in any case make it clear that any Chinese troops sent to Hong Kong in connection with the occupation of Japan, Formosa, etc. must be wholly self-contained for food. There will be no stocks available in Hong Kong for anything except the urgent needs of the Colony itself.

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5.

Reference paragraph 2(d). You should state that the question of ultimate allocation of Japanese captured shipping must await further instructions after report on the particulars of this shipping has been received. this, Admiral Harcourt would naturally have to keep such shipping as he requires for the immediate needs of the port, but there would be no objection to the use by the Chinese in

Subject to