FO371-24687 — Page 261

JOPY.

CONFIDENTIAL.

Sir,

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175

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

18th January, 1940.

With reference to your confidential despatch of

27th January, 1939, regarding the Chinese troops who are at

present interned in this Colony, I have the honour to suggest

that the time is opportune to consider again whether these

men should not be released and repatriated to their homes in

China, now that the Japanese forces have evacuated the

districts bordering on the New Territories of Hong Kong.

2. As long ago as 21st April, 1939, His Majesty's

Consul-General at Canton informed me that a Japanese

Consular officer there had confirmed reports that the

Japanese military authorities at Canton were releasing

Chinese prisoners of war. Since then efforts, which up to

now have not been attended with success, have been made by the

British military authorities here to obtain the consent of the

Japanese military authorities in Canton to the release of the

men. There would now appear to be less reason than ever to

continue to keep these men in the Colony, since even if they

could recombine and re-arm themselves, there is now with the

withdrawal of the Japanese no prospect of a fight on the

borders of the Colony or any infringement of neutrality which

cannot be guarded against. From the humanitarian point of

view there is no danger that these men will become destitute

or be unable to find their way back to their native places

and arrangements to assist in their repatriation could be

made by this Government.

3. If you concur with this view I should be glad if this

matter might be taken up again with the Foreign Office.

These interned men are causing constant trouble through

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,

etc., etc., etc.

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stirring

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