CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945 — Page 165

SECRET

WARNING: This is an unparaphrased version of a secret cypher or confidential code message and the text must first be paraphrased if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British or Allied Government Services. (*Note: Messages shown as having been sent in a One-Time Pad: "O.T.P." are excepted from this rule.)

IN

163

161501 September

18 SEP 1945 19.

FROM: C. in C. Hong Kong.

DATE: 18.9.45..

RECD: 0640

C.C.M. (NAVAL) F.O's Secret by W/T..

ADDRESSED: Admiralty for Chiefs of Staff.

IMPORTANT

The broad picture of the present position is as follows

Para. 1. Colony is quiet but in view of strong patrols maintained throughout the city it is difficult to judge genuineness of atmosphere. Population estimated soon to reach one million relatively healthy and adequately clothed. Good proportion shope opened though stocks small and prices bound to rise on scarcity value. Doubtful if state adequate to enforce price control is practical proposition.

Para.2. Too early to judge yet success or otherwise of reintroduction of Hong Kong dollar and demonetisation of the Yen on 14th September, Problem is to achieve reasonable circulation and provent outflow of notes to China. date currency changeover quieter than expected though some protests beginning to be voiced particularly concerning slowness of circulation.

Public relief on large scale may be necessary ponding fuller circulation of now notes.

Para.3. Trams, forries, telophonos, nowspa pors and clectricity working on limited scale and cancellation of proportion equipment proviously asked for in United Kingdom will be neccessary whon detailed reports are availablo.

Para.4. Water supply fairly good shape though filters have been fouled through lack of maintenanco. Docks are damagod but not to extent reported in 1944 and a great deal is working now.

Para.5. Damage to property and housing seems to average about 15% over all though some districts have sustained as high as 60% through combination of bombing, fire and looting.

Para.6./