FO371-24688 — Page 74

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From: G.0.C. Hong Kong.

SECRET.

Doop. 1619

L

F 3546

3 JUL

Roca. 1210 1/7/40.

400

То

The War Office.

7408 Cipher 1/7.

Reference Domci report and official prouncement by military spokesman Canton that Japanese military accuso British in Hong Kong of violating gentleman's agroomont of 1938 rogarding furnishing 48 hours notice of movements of Japanoso troops in vicinity of

Hong Kong frontier and our undertaking not to notify Chinese here. No foundation for Japanese complaint. Actually on (?21st) only

12 hours warning was given although rumours from Macao and in

Hong Kong provalent some days previous to arrival of Japanese

troops. Obvious that we could have had no time to notify Chiang

Kai Shok and for him to issue written orders to village near Hong Kong Japanese contention is without any foundation and is instance of their adopting German mothods of spreading untruths. I have no communication with Chiang Kai Shok and no British troops wore moved until some hours after arrival of Japanese on frontier.

C.4. (Telegrams)

Copies to:- M.0.1.2.2.2.

'

M.I.2.2.co

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

Mr. H. Ashley-Clarke (Foreign

Office) (3 copies)

Commander S. Barry (Admiralty)

(2 copies)

Sqdn. Ldr. C.I. Casey (Air Ministry)

(2 copies)

Mr. Gent (Colonial Office)

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