FO371-46252 — Page 58

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Article 3.

Existing Jaws to be Respected

Subject to the provisions of any Proclamation, enactment or order of the British Military Administration and in so far as military exigencies permit:-

(a) all laws existing immediately prior to the Japanese occupation will be respected and administered;

(b) all rights and properties will be respected; provided that rights and properties acquired or alleged to have been acquired during the period of Japanese occupation will be subject to investigation and to such action as justice may require,

Article 4.

Revocation of Enactments by Japanese Authorities.

All proclamations, enactments, orders and the like issued or made by or with the sanction of any Japanese authority during the period of Japanese occupation are hereby suspended unless and until exproscly revived by euthority of the British Military Administration.

Article 5.

Suepension of Courts

All Courts and Tribunals (except Courts Martial held by virtue of any statute) other than Courts and Tribunals established by authority of the British Military Administration are hereby suspended and deprived of all jurisdiction until authorised by the British Military Administration to reopen.

Article 6.

Orders to be Obeyed.

All persons shall obey promptly all Proclamation enactments and orders issued or made by or under the authority of the British Military Administration and must refrain from all acts which impede the Forces under my command from all acts of violence, and from any act likely to disturb public order in any way.

Article 7.

Delegation

I hereby delegate to the Senior Officer for the time being Commanding Britannic Majesty's Forces in Hong Kong all the powers, responsibilities and

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jurisdiction/

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