FO371-46252 — Page 230

Page 230

Page 230

FS589

195

Page 230

GUARD

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

[Cypher]

Sir H. Seymour. No.909

CABINET DISTRIBUTION.

FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

23rd August, 1945.

D. 8.51 a.m. GMT. 23rd August, 1945.

R. 10.20 a.m. BST. 23rd August, 1945.

Repeated to Supreme Allied Command South East Asia.

Washington.

MOST IMMEDIATE.

GUARD

TOP SECRET

My telegram No.897.

Chiang Kai-shek to-day sent me verbal message through Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs to the following effect.

2. As Supreme Commander of Chinese theatre, Chiang Kai-shek will delegate to Officer Commanding British Forces the power to accept Japanese surrender in Hong Kong Chiang Kai-shek will nõminate a Chinese and also an American officer to participate.

3. On co-ordination (your telegram No.955) Chiang Kai-shek asks that British military representatives here should get into touch with General Wedemeyer and the Chinese military.

4. He asks for notice three days in advance of the name of British officer who will accept surrender.

5. This is a typical face-saving compromise and I expressed doubts whether you would agree in the case of British territory, to delegation of powers in the manner proposed. In fact, however, this proposal does seem to give us what we want in the way of presence of British forces without a dispute and the acceptance of surrender by the Officer Commanding British Forces. I hope it may be accepted.

O.T.P.

6. General Hayes informed for action on paragraph 3.

Page 230

Page 230Page 231