FO371-23517 — Page 53

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USORE CIPHER

345

M

SECRE T.

From:

G.O.C. Hong Kong.

To

The War Office

12880

1801030

Desp.1740 14.12.39. Recd.1330 14.12.39.

Repeated to Tientsin and G.S.0.1. (Intelligence) Far East, Singapore.

6192 Cipher 14/12.

Reference M.A.Tokio 194 13/12.

My opinion remains as stated in my 6104 of 4/12 and

subsequent telegrams. No decision has been taken to ask Sukzuki to leave Hong Kong nor will I do so without your

instructions.

Para.2. Sukzuki is not a normal replacement of a language officer he is purely an intelligence officer who having been here before cannot pretend to be anything else. This officer's appointment is equivalent to our sending a senior intelligence officer to a Japanese fortress in war. I have already pointed out that danger of local espionage need not be regarded as paramount although obviously important. There is ample evidence that Ishino was engaged in local espionage in addition to being a centre for intelligence for south China, and Suzuki was similarly employed when

previously here.

C.4. (Telegrams).

To M.I.2. (for action).

Copies to:- M.0.1.2.2A.

M.I.1.2.20.

M.I.L.

Mr. Howe (F.0.).

Cdr.Barry (Admiralty).

Wing Cdr. Grant (Air Ministry).

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