22 August, 1941.
78181
Re your 54064/41 of 21/8.
We are grateful for your proposal to despatch
A telegram to vir Hong Kong, which un help to solve this serious and urgent matter. · feel that unless measures are taken in the future a good deal more energetically than the have been in the past they are unlikely to produce results.
From the point of view of defence it would probably be no exaggeration to say that all Chinamen in Hong Kong would be open to suspicion of anti-British intentions should they be present in a siege of Hong Kong as part of a beleaguered populage. e feel that their
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reactions would immediately turn to the side which appeared likely to be the probable winner. situation and other such things we feel are unlikely to influence the transient loyalty of a Chinamen.
e would suggest the addition to your telegraa of a paragraph on the following lines :-
I am of the opinion that the consider ble "influx of Chinese into the Colony in regent "months is of a size which may well compromi ze "the defence of the Colon. Please discuss "this matter with 0.0.0. Hong Kong."
Te are sending a copy of this letter to Mr Sterndale-Bennett, Foreign Office, and to Colonel Price, ar Cabinet offices.
Youre 44
G.E.J. Gent, Esq., C..G., D.S.0., 0.B.5., M.C.,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street,
3.1.1.
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