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276
CHINA
ASSOCIATION
Copy of cable received from Mr. Stanley Dodwell, Chairman of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce dated 1st July, 1940.
The Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce view with apprehension and alarm the compulsory evacuation of the British civilian female population which in their opinion is entirely unjustified by the present situation unless there are extremely grave factors of which there are no signs here at present. Untold harm has already been done to the Colony's interests. The panic caused amongst the Chinese community has already resulted in the withdrawal of their funds and evacuation where possible by the wealthy classes while the poorer classes and refugees will remain. If persisted in the Committee of this Chamber is firmly convinced that the Colony's commercial and financial interests will be irreparably damaged. The Japanese Consul professes amazement at such drastic procedure asserting that he knows nothing to justify it and considers it lilely to very detrimentally affect Anglo- Japanese relations. In the circumstances this Chamber cannot
too strongly urge the Goverment to reconsider the question which they regard as one of vital importance to the Colony and of the utmost urgency.
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