FO371-46252 — Page 16

Nothing to be Written in this Margin.

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Minutes.

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TOP SECRET

The report of the Chiefs of Staff > approved yesterday by the Defence Committee, on the immediate military action to be taken after the surrender of Japan, included the re- occupation by British forces of Hongkong and Saigon.

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The report did not direct that the Chinese were to be told of this (both places are tech- nically in Chang Kai-shek's theatre of command). I was myself doubtful at first of the wisdom of informing him until we had obtained the American reactions.

Since then we have, had the reply of the U.S. Chiefs of Staff to the raposes of the British Chiefs of Staff to detach the British naval forces from the British Pacific Fleet for Hong- kong.UU.S. Chiefs of Staff have agreed to the release of the necessary ships though they state that this is in their view unrelated to any proposals concerning Hongkong,which they regard as a matter for arrangement between the British and Chinese Governments.

We have also received a definite recommenda- tion from our Embassy in Chungking that H.M.G. should declare their intentions about Hongkong at first hand to the Chinese Government.

I feel that we should now make a communica- tion.

The suggestion of the Embassy at Chung- king was that it should be made to the Chinese Ambassador here. Without prejudice to anything which the Secretary of State may say to Dr. Wellington Koɑ I submit a draft telegram to Chungking. I have already sent copies to the Colonial Office and the Chiefs of Staff's Secret- ariate for their concurrence.

Jague not this

The be done.

144

J.C Hindals Beraanedt

14th August, 1945.

Ab. Any. 14-140

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