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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

DESPATCHED BY C.T.P.

F16124

31 AUG 1945

OZ 5420

TOO 301620Z

IMMEDIATE

From

A.M.S.S.O.

To Rptd.

:

5420

TOD 3018152

Rear-Admiral HARCOURT) Passed via Admiralty

S.A.C.S.E、A.

C. in C. INDIA

General CARTON DE WIART

J.S.M. WASHINGTON

30th August, 1945.

Following from Chiefs of Staff.

We have, after consultation with the Foreign Office and Colonial Office, prepared and approved the following Directive to Rear-Admiral Harcourt.

BEGINS:

You are appointed Commander-in-Chief and Head of the Military Administration of the Colony of Hong Kong, which includes the New Territories.

2.

You will assume by Proclamation full powers and jurisdiction over persors and property in Hong Kong and will establish a British Military Administration throughout the Colony, in accordance with the instruct- ions already issued to you (A.M. 130032 and 131957 August) Detailed instructions regarding Civil Affairs will be issued to you in a separate directive.

3.

You will be responsible to the Chiefs of Staff for the defence of the Colony and to the Secretary of State for War for the military administration (including the maintenance of law and order). Where in your judgment the security of the Colony is endangered, you will exercise your authority in any manner which appears to you to be necessary.

4.

You will be in command of the forces of all three Services stationed ashore in the Colony. Except in the

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