FO371-24688 — Page 79

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INDEXED

F3546/177/

10

E

5 JUL

iv-

289

In Sept

CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Governor of Eng Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Dated 2nd July, 1940. Received 11.15 a.m. 2nd July.

No. 369 of 2nd July.

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1

น

13481" H

reed

Your telegram No. 312. notre

I received following telegram from British

Telegram 006 of Ambassador at Tokyo on 1st July begins. 1st July according to press 1st July Hong Kong Goverment announced 30th June that state of emergency and publis danger continua to exist and woman and children and others nož argently required for defence purposes in Hong Kong Kowloon

Press were required to prepare to evacuate by 5th July. interprets this as tantamount to order to evacuate.

2.

I should be grateful for information as to what exactly has been decided and when decision was taken and announced.

3.

You will recall that I suggested that precautionary measures should stop short of evacuation (ry telegram No. 1052 to Foreign Office) and I have had nothing 44/7 from you since your telegram No 347 to Colonial Office

Wends.

On the same date I sent following reply begins. Telegram 046 of 1st. Your telegram No. 206. On 28th June I received instructions from Secretary of State for the Colonies "His Majesty's Government have now decided that + Kin) evacuation scheme should now be put into force" remainder of telegram referred to details only except that I was to await Washington confirmation as to Manila as acceptable destination. sesuation of unessential women and of children was accordingly ordered on 29th June with press announcement this was on instruction from London. No evacuation of males has been ordered or recommended. Situation is generally accepted here as normal and timely precaution only and an indication that opposition will be offered should an assault unfortunately be made.

I regret that you should not have been kept fully informed but assumed you would be told by Foreign Office in view of your advice in your telegram No. 1052 to Foreign office.

да

On 2300 June we asked Sir R. Craigie to repeat to Hong Kong & &'pon all telegrams which might affect their defence arrangementer The Governor of Hong Kong passes Sir R. Craigie's reproach on to the Foreign Office in his last sentence

Evacuation was a

I shot. have thought

bonghong that. have

but fin A. Craig

Cabinet decision.

17

Colonial Office Reference No.

13139/11/660

f

Colonial

informed rather than we. With the compliments of the U.S.

1.2.7.Goge

717

4 JUL 1310

Date

We sh'd look out for seference,

this, but in this case the decision only reached uo

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late MA &

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