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CONFIDENTIAL (2)
Sir,
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174
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
18th January, 1940.
With reference to my confidential (2) despatch of 7th December, 1939, regarding the internment of Chinese soldiers in Hong Kong, I have the honour to inform you that two interned soldiers escaped from the Ma Tau Chung Chinese Internment Camp on the night of 12th December, 1939, and are
still at large.
2. The escape appears to have been attributable to the slackness of the two men on watch in the crows' nests at the
north side of the camp. At 3.50 a.m. on 13th December, 1939,
an unarmed sentry on duty at the gate observed one man escaping over the wire on this side by means of a bamboo ladder. The alarm was given but the man succeeded in escaping. A count was immediately made and it was discovered that two men were missing. The escape was not observed by
the two men in the crows nests.
3.
It has been ascertained that the ladder used was
made of bamboo poles and broom handles tied with hemp, and buried in the earth until required. A thorough search is being carried out to ensure that no more ladders have been
similarly concealed.
4.
Disciplinary action has been taken against the two sentries who should have observed the escape from the crow's
nests.
5. Copies of this despatch are being sent to His Britannic Majesty's Ambassadors at Tokyo and Shanghai.
I have, etc.,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.
etc., etc., etc.
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(Signed)GA.S.Northcote.
Governor.
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