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GUARD

[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on]

[CYPHER]

CABINET DISTRIBUTION

FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO CHUNGKING

No. 922

18th August 1945

D. 6.45 p.m. 18th August 1945

Repeated to Washington No. 8531

S.E.A.Č. No. 372 (for Mr. Dening)

MOST IMMEDIATE

SECRET

GUARD

SSSSSSS

My telegram No. 916 [of August 17th].

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 Hongkong or Saigon.

3. As regards Hongkong, the general order provides that Chiang Kai-shek shall accept surrender of Japanese commanders "within China". In our view this cannot be interpreted as including Hongkong.

4. As stated in my telegram under reference, it is our view 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 Hongkong 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 Hongkong on occasion of acceptance by us of Japanese surrender.

7.

As regards Saigon, you should inform Chinese Government that we regard our proposals as being fully in accordance with the terms of the general order. case also however we should be glad to welcome the presence In this of a representative of Chiang Kai-shek at the surrender ceremony at Saigon.

8. We are informing United States Government of Chinese memorandum and of above reply.

O.T.P.

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