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8.

It may well be that the Generalissimo will take the line that Hong Kong is still within the China Command and that he is, therefore, entitled to issue orders to Admiral Harcourt. In this case, we shall have to inform him that we regard the end of the Japanese war as terminating the arrangement whereby Hong Kong is within the China Theatre.

Conclusions

9.

We conclude that:-

(a) Admiral Harcourt should be appointed Commander-

in-Chief of the forces of all three Services stationed ashore in Hong Kong. Except in the case of emergency, naval and air forces visiting Hong Kong or in transit should continue under their normal commanders.

(b) As Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Harcourt should

be responsible to the British Chiefs of Staff. As head of the military

administration, he must be responsible to the Secretary of State for War.

(c) S.4.C.S.E.. should be responsible for

providing the administrative requirements of the Army, the R.L.F. end civil affairs in Hong Kong but should have no command functions. This arrangement presents

certain difficulties but is workable.

(a) We should inform the United States Chiefs of

Staff and the Generalissimo of the arrange- ments we intend.

Recommendations

10.

If the Chiefs of Staff decide to accept a command organisation for Hong Kong on the lines suggested by the First Sea Lord, we recommend that:-

(a) The directive at Annex I be sent to Admiral

Harcourt and repeated to the Joint Staff Mission, the Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet, S.A.C.S.E.A. and Cormander- in-Chief, India.

(b) The draft telegram at Annex II be despatched to the Joint Staff Mission and repeated as above.

(c) General Carton de Wiart should be furnished

with a copy of the directive to Admiral Harcourt and requested to give the Generalissimo the gist of the information in paragraph 1 of the telegram at Annex II.

(a) A copy of this paper should be sent to the

Foreign Office who should be invited to arrange for H.M. Ambassador, Chungking, to support. General Carton de Wiart's approach to the Generalissimo if necessary.

Offices of the Cabinet and

Minister of Defence, S..1.

29TH AUGUST, 1945.

(Signed) G. GRANTH M

-3-

G.S. THOMPS ON W.L. DAVISON

ilb

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