INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
ICA
81
Cypher 0.T.P.
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
D. 9th July, 1951. K. 9th #?
#t
13.15 hrs.
IMMEDIATE
No. 748. Secret.
Addressed to Secretary of State.
Repeated Governor, Federation of Mala a,
No. 33.
$8
Governor, North Borneo, No. 147. Governor, Sarawak, No. 148.
Governor, Singapore, No. 66
(Singapore please pass North Borneo
and Sarawak)
Your telegram No. 835.
Japanese Peace Treaty.
It is probable that number of ex-prisoners of war and civilian internees who have incurred personal su Pering or hardship as a result of captivity and are now permanent residents here is small, and that course you suggest is not (repeat not) likely to give rise to any great demand for similar scheme here.
2. I must nevertheless, point out, that principal suffering and hardship here fell on those who were not (repeat not) interned as civilians or as prisoners of war, but were imprisoned, tortured and executed on suspicior of helping U.K. cause. Your suggested scheme will certainly arouse demand f these or their dependents, for participation and will revive old charge that those who were fortunate enough to be interneú are receiving unduly favourable treatment. The Japanese did not intern Chinese and the old cry of racial discrimination will almost certainly be raised again.
3. I greatly fear that proposed scheme will also revive a demand for compensation for war damage. Those who were interned and many who were not (repeat not) interned lost all their personal property. My despatch No. 281 of 29th November 1947 refers.
14. It occurs to me that course likely to give rise to fewest repercussions would be to hand over proceeds to local war memorial fund committee with request to disperse to local residents not necessarily permanent whether interned or not who suffered financially as a result of the occupation. This would, in fact, be a local variant of the U.K. personal chattels Scheme, but I should like time to consider further. Meanwhile,
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I would ask that the position as regards Hong Kong be left open.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.