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rangements for the Administration of Hong Kong in the Event of its Liboration by Regular Chiress oroGS.

-00000-

According to information provided by the United States Chiefs of Stear to the British Chiefs of staff at Terminal, an offensive in contemplated by merion-trained Chinese Torces in the direction of Canton and Hong Kong in the fairly near futuro.

d

en

The Colonial Tico plans for the resumption of the administration of Hong Kong have hitherto boon based on the assumption that its recapture would bo by

morien or British forcos. By the tomma of the Charter of the Combined Civil ffairs Committee at adhington which was approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff in September, 1945, there is a clear agreement with the Americans that in British territories in the Far Past which are in on

norien command, the policies to be followed on the liberation of those tofritories shall be laid down by lis Majesty's Govoriment and accepted by the moric Force Commander. Consequently the way would be clene for ho administration of Hong Kong by British officials 1: its liberation were achieved by American forcor But we have no similer arrangement with the Chiroen ond the Colonial Ufice are now faced unexpectedly with the necessity of making en arrangement with the; but before approching the Chinese Government. they wish to ensure that our attempts to reach such an arrangement do not moet with obstruction from the orion sido.

noml

30

3. Oring to the Pact that Chinng Kel Shak's Chief of Stall is an Americn Go eral odomeyer, 1s reported to be personally opened to my sotion' by the Britich in China directed to the ro-ocau ation of Hong Kong, and in view of the high political inques involved. it com: escential that we should assure ourselves in advance of the support and cooperation of the United States authorities concerned in our endeavour to reach and implemont an understanding with the Chinese Govermont about the achinistration of Hong Kong on its liberation similar to the arrangement between the 'mericans ant ourselves mentioned in paragraph 2 above. If thene negotiations first with the Americans and then with the Chinese wore conducted through the usual chanels there is a danger that they might

rng on for sover months and it may therefore be thought semble to raise the matter with President Truan while

13 still here.

A copy of a memorandun prepared in the Far Pastorn Department on the political issue betroun Crent Britain and China regarding Hong Kong is attached.

29th

FURION OFTLICK

July, 1945.

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