FO371-24688 — Page 183

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so Referenca N

ool

ments of the

of S.

14 AUG

TTICO

FROM

CYPHER TELEGRAM.

O.A.G.

D. 13th August, 1940.

Page 183

13/391/4 53794

127

•5 AUG

10

Enter

C

379

HONG KONG.

R. 1.10 p.m. 13th August, 1940.

Addressed Colonial Office No.504 repeated to Government of India, Governor of Ceylon and Burma. Your telegram No. 426 Secret.

Evacuation.

саб

16/8

question is now acute of finding place for refuge for certain categories of British women and children not of European race in the event of danger. Approximate number Portuguese women 670 children 735, Chinese volunteer women 380 children 420, Eurasian volunteer women 95 children 93.

Few of these would be willing to be evacuated at present and if situation became critical many would no doubt prefer to take refuge in MACAO or coast ports but MACAO is very congested and coast ports may be inaccessible

It would greatly help me to meet the charge of discrimination if I could be assured that some ?part of the British Empire would receive-these people in the event of crisis. If limited families volunteer numbers would be women 544 children 567.

In addition to Chinese volunteers there are about 1,000 women and children families of Chinese who have rendered service to the Colony as members of the Counofl of Justices of the Peace etc. These wish to be able to send their families at their own expense to part of the Empire less exposed to danger. For reason given above I should welcome offer of

hospitality. Australian Government has been approached but regret inability to relax restrictions.

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