FO371-46252 — Page 194

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TI

Exhest from cas (45) 198h Mig.

14.8.45.

6. SURRENDER OF JAPAN

(Previous Reference:

LEW

F5552

dipr

OCCUPATION OF HONG KONG

C.0.8.(45) 197th Meeting, Minute 1)

X

THE COMMITTEE considered a telegram from the Joint Staff Mission replying to the points put to the U.S. Chiefs of Staff in accordance with C.0.S.(W) 50 and 53 regarding the adjustments to the boundaries in the South West Pacific Area and the reoccupation of Hong Kong by British Commonwealth forces.

It was noted that the United States Chiefs of Staff said that they agreed that the adjustments to the boundaries in the South West Pacific Area, as agreed at "TERMINAL", should take effect "from the date of the Japanese surrender",

The American reply regarding Hong Kong was interpreted to mean acquiescence, but not necessarily support vis a vis the Chinese, in the action we proposed to take at Hong Kong.

After a short discussion, it was decided to send a most immediate telegram to the Joint Staff Mission, instructing them to request the release to British. control at the time of the surrender of Japan of such naval forces as Admiral Fraser required to carry out the tasks allotted

to him. The Foreign Office should be informed accordingly, and

of the suggestion that the Chinese should not be consulted but should be informed a few hours beforehand

of the arrival of the British forces.

THE COMMITTEE:

Instructed the Secretary:-

(i) To draft and despatch, subject to

the approval of the First Sea Lord, a telegram to the Joint Staff Mission on the lines agreed above;

(ii) To write to the Foreign Office

in the above sense.

X

J.S.M. 1

+ Sent as C.0.5.(W) 60

Annex

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