FO371-46253 — Page 244

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12.

203

c.o.S. (45.) 207th mts y 27.856113/147/G

JAPANESE SURRENDER HONG KONG AND CHINESE PORTS

(Previous Reference: C.0.S.(45) 201st Mtg, Min. 16

C.O.S.(45) 206th Mtg, Min. 3,

День

614

THE COMMITTEE referred to a telegram from General Carton de Wiart reporting an interview which he had had with the Generalissimo. In paragraph 4 of the telegram he reported that the Generalissimo had said that he had heard of British ships proposing to enter Chinese ports with a view to safeguarding British interests. He had asked General Carton de Wiart to confirm this. On the subject of the Japanese surrender at Hong Kong, General Carton de Wiart felt that the course of action suggested in a telegram* from the Foreign Office to Sir Horace Seymour would have a most unfortunate effect on our future relations with the Generalissimo and his Government.

a possible solution to the problem.

He suggested in paragraph 6

In discussion it was recalled that an assurance had been 0 given to the U.S. Chiefs of Staff that our intention was to provide forces to accompany or follow U. S. forces entering Chinese ports, in order that British interests should be represented. There was no intention of sending in forces unilaterally. It was suggested that General Carton de Wiart should be asked to reassure the Generalissimo on this point.

On the subject of the proposed solution submitted by General Carton de Wiart, it was agreed that there was no objection to the proposal, and it was suggested that the Foreign Office might be asked to consider it and take what action they considered appropriate.

THE COMMITTEE :

(a) Invited Sir Hastings Ismay to reply to General Carton de Wiart in the light of the above discussion.

(b) Instructed the Secretary to send a copy

of the telegram from General Carton de Wiart to the Foreign Office, inviting their attention to the suggested solution in paragraph 6, and esting the Foreign Office to tako what action they considered appropriate.

17/2

15 W. 1686 Ft113/1147/ X FO 984 F S$89/110/7,

I COS (W) 66 F55 57/1147/5.

+ Annex I

-4-

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