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(P 10623/98/10)
OUT FILE
FOREIGN OFFICE, 3.W.1.
23rd October, 1941.
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Dear Gent,
Thank you for your letter 50640/1/41 of the 10th October about the operation of the Hong Kong Immigration Control Ordinance.
De
Military considerations muct, we agree, take precedence in present circumstances and we accordingly ezuur in your proposed action and in the terms of your proponed telegram to the Governor. At the time there is a political aspect (and, if I may say so, you have held the balance fairly between the two somewhat conflicting søpects), namely that which cones, Ins Sino-British relations. Consequently, except in the most urgent cases it would sees desirable that if any new restrictions are to be introduced we should be given an opportunity of explaining matters to the Chinese Government in advance. As you will of esurse realise, any measures taken to strengthen the defence of Hong Kong, however efficacio:s in themselves, will not be advantageous to us on balance if they seriously antagonise the Chinese Government and the local Chinese community.
As Hong Kong has already taken certain steps to tighten up immigration control, we shall have to tell Clark Kerr to say a word to the Chinese.
would you therefore be good enough to instruet Hong Kong to repeat to Chungking your telegram to liong Kong No. 102, Hong Kong telegram No. 1:43, and the telegram which you now propose to send, after which we shall ask Clak Kerr to explain to the Chinese that the measures taken are unavoidably necessary in the interests of the defence of
at Hong Kong and to speak in the sense of the second and
0.5.J. Gent, Esq., C.8.G., D.3.0.
tdrd/
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Colonial office.
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