FO371-46252 — Page 135

Page 135

THIS

MARGIN.

NI

NOTHING

ΤΟ

BE

WRITTEN

Page 135

Registry No.

F5236 /1144 G

5326

A

MOST IMMEDIATE.

SECRET.

M

|August 1945..

с

JA

116

Draft.

H.M.Ambassador,

Chungking.

Telegram.

No.

Date.

922

Any 18

Cypher 0.T.P.

CABINET DISTRI-

bution.

Repeat to

Washington

No.

31√

85311

Mr. Dening,

S.E.A.C.

No.

372

С.О. вам списиматив

Dft und C.OS.

Now command.

J

Jestinitale Bennalt

Any 18

GUARD.

My telegram No. 916 [d Aug 17]

Please make immediate communication to

Chinese Government on following lines.

2.

We regret we cannot agree with

Chinese interpretation of general order in

regard to either Hong Kong or Saigon.

3. As regards Hong Kong, the general

order provides that Chiang Kai-shek shall

accept surrender of Japanese commanders "with-

in China". In our view this cannot be inter-

preted as including Hong Kong.

4.

As stated in my telegram under it is it

reference, we regarà i

يسفة سري

ass matter of prim-

eiple that, irrespective of operational

theatres, wherever the sovereign Power has

sufficient forces available it should resume

its authority and accept Japanese surrender

in its own territory.

5. Moreover, as a soldier, Chiang Kai-

shek will understand that as we were forced

to relinquish possession of Hong Kong to the

Japanese it is a matter of military honour for

us to accept Japanese surrender there.

6.

We shall however welcome presence of

a representative of Chiang Kai-shek in Hong

Kong on occasion of acceptance by us of

Japanese surrender.

7. As regards Saigon, you should inform

Chinese Government that we regard our proposals

as.. • +

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