FO371-46253 — Page 238

Page 238

Cos(45) 206th Intp. 0724/5 in Dept-

3.

SURRENDER OF HONG KONG

(Previous Reference:

197

F6112/1147/G

J. E. dept.

вывора

C.0.S.(45) 204th Meeting, Minute 9

THE COMMITTEE considered the following minutes and telegrams concerning the present negotiations over the surrender of Hong Kong:-

X

(1) A minute from the Secretary covering two

letters received from the Foreign and Colonial Office asking that assurance

be obtained from the United States Chiefs of Staff that our desire to accept the surrender of Hong Kong will not be prejudiced by our adherence to General MacArthur's surrender orders, and as a result of which a telegram+ was despatched to J.S.M. Washington in anticipation of the Chiefs of Staff approval;

+

(ii) telegram from Chungking to the Foreign

A

Office stating that Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek as Supreme Commander of the Chinese theatre was prepared to delegate to the Officer Commanding British Forces the power to accept Japanese surrender in Hong Kong and that he would nominate a Chinese and an American officer to participate;

(iii) A telegram personal from General Carton

de Wiart to General Ismay concerning the strength of feeling in China regarding the tone of our note to the Chinese Government over the occupation of Hong Kong;

=

(iv) Two telegrams from the Joint Staff Mission

stating that Generalissimo Chiang

Kai-shek had communicated with President

Truman informing him that he agreed to delegate his authority to accept the

surrender of Hong Kong to a British

Commander, and asking the British in Chungking to effect the co-ordination of operational matters with General Wedemeyer and his own staff; and repeating the text of instructions which the United States Chiefs of Staff had issued to Generals Wedemeyer and MacArthur informing them that the British Chiefs of Staff had stated that military co-ordination on operational matters concerning Hong Kong was being effected by them.

Page 238

X

*

#

0.0.S.1150/5

0.0.5. (W) 74 5849/1147/5. in Dept No. 209 €5589/1144/5 attrahed

IZ 8470 (GUARD

J.S.M. 16 and 17 F12,

F6112/1147/5.m. Dept.

Page 238

Page 238

Page 238