FO371-24688 — Page 88

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51058/10 Hong Kong

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28. Captain Peter Macdonald, To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can make any statement with regard to the position of Hong Kong, including the evacuation of European women and children; the arrangements which are being made for administration in the absence of the governor; the limitation of Chinese immigration; and the arrangements for the feeding of the population.

(9th July: not for oral answer

DRAFT WRITTEN REPLY TO

CAPTAIN PETER MACDONALD,

UNIONIST, ISLE OF RIGHT.

answer)

In view of the possibility of

disturbance of normal channels of supply

to Hong Kong which was to be apprehended

from recent events in neighbouring

territories, H.. G. decided to put in hand

a scheme for the evacuation of british

women and children from the Colony.

Thanks to the kind hospitality of the

U.S. Government, these women and children

have in the first place been taken to

Manila. A certain number of Incion vosen

end children are being taken direct to

ports in India.

General conditions in the Fer

East also made it de irable in the view

of H.. G. that the administration of the

government of Hong Kong should in the

absence of cir Geoffry Northcote be temporarily entrusted to a senior Military

Officer, and Major-Gener: 1 E. 5. Morton,

the Officer Commanding the Western District

in India, has been selected for this

purpose and is expected very hortly to

arrive in the Colony.

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