FO371-24688 — Page 7

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JUN I

SECRE T-

PRET CIF

BALT

From:- G. 0. C. Hong Kong.

To:

The War Office.

Desp. 0046. 20/6/40.

Recd. 2025 19/6/40.

18/4

MOST IMMEDIATE.

7327 cipher. 19/6,

Reference Tokyo Telegram to Forcign Office No.

1032 of 10 Junc. Consider threats and warning of

responsible Japanese General can not be ignored and important that precautionary measures for defence of

Unless you Hong Kong should be taken without delay,

order to the contrazy I shall remove frontier bridges,

move mobile guns into position and partially man

defences. In circumstances consider no exception can be

taken by Japanese to defensive measures being adopted.

Evacuation of maximum number white women and children

a vital factor in defence of Hong Kong. Shipping

available at short notice very limited.

therefore that evacuation should not be delayed until

last moment. Request authority to commence evacuation

Important

to Manilța of Nark. and Military families immediately.

C. in. C. has seen and agrees.,

C. 4. (Telegrams).

Copics to:- M. 0. 1. 2. 20.

M. I. 2. 20.

M. I. (J. I. C. )

To:- M.0.2. (for action)

Mr. H. Ashley Clarko (Foreign Office) Cmdr. S. Barry (Admiralty)

Sqan. Lar. C. I. Casey (Air Ministry) Mr. G. E. J. Gont. (Colonial Office)

of this Eis J. Brenan has a copy of

CR. Whitamost

2016. 1.9.+-9

2016

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