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[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be
retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on.]
F /G.
[CYPHER]
No. 984.
25th August, 1945.
CABINET DISTRIBUTION.
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO CHUNGKING.
D. 1.10 a.m. 25th August, 1945.
Repeated to Washington No. 8818
Supreme Allied Command, South East Asia No. 422.
*
ZZZZZZZ
MOST IMEDIATE.
TOP SECRET.
Your telegram No. 909 [of August 23rd: Hong Kong. ]
His Majesty's Government are of course anxious to reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement with Chiang Kai-shek. But they do not doubt that Chiang Kai-shek will understand their feeling that Great Britain must re-establish the status quo in Hong Kong on the defeat of Japan, and they therefore much regret that they find themselves unable to accept his suggestion that the Officer Commanding the British Force should accept the surrender of Japanese in this British territory as the Generalissimo's delegate.
2. As already indicated His Majesty's Government would of course welcome the presence of a representative of Chiang Kai-shek in Hong Kong on the occasion of the surrender. he decides to nominate an American officer as well as a Chinese
If officer that would be equally agreeable to His Majesty's Government.
3. The surrender would be accepted by the British Officer in Command of the British Force, who would be empowered for this duty under General Order No. 1, but the Chinese and American officers delegated by Chiang Kai-shek would attend as representatives of the Supreme Commander of the China theatre, and on the assumption that there will be a surrender document they would also sign it as witnesses in that capacity.
4. Please make oral communication in the above sense to Chiang Kai-shek, informing him at the same time that the Officer designated to Command the British Force is rear Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, C. B. C.B.E.
O.T.P.
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