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Cypher Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to Secretary of
State for the Colonies.
Dated 21st June, 1940. Received 8 a.m. 21st June, 1940.
IMMEDIATE.
No. 341.
See minute on (C) F344//127
البيل
Addressed to Secretary of State for the Colonies
June
telegram No.341 of 21st/repeated to Tokyo telegram No.38 reference Foreign Office my telegram No.590.
Your telegram No.294,
In view of deterioration of
? 1032 F3432/23/23-in- situation reported in Tokyo telegram 1000 and 1038 Hong Kong possibility of surprise attack I agree defence steps should be taken as recommended with possible exception of wholesale evacuation of women. This would receive world wide publicity in view of remoteness of this colony from European war theatre and could only have one meaning.
It has been proposed that first stage might be
compulsory evacuation of naval and military families only but in my view effect of this on world opinion would hardly differ from general evacuation.
I can only judge the situation from local point of Tiev and wast rely on Tokyo for the information as to probable gudden attack and on H, M. Government for decision on publicity
effect of general evacuation,
General Officer Commanding emphasizes that
evacuation of femilies is an essential element of defence scheme and emphasizes present shortage of shipping.
Since drafting above I have received notice from Japanese Consul General that Japanese troops will shortly re-occupy districts close to our land frontiers.
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