FO371-46253 — Page 48

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No. F5849/114/G

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August 1945.

Draft.

H.M.Ambassador,

Chungking.

Telegram

No. 972

Date.

Any 23

Cypher. 0.T.P.

Repeat to

Mr. Dening, Kandy,

All

No.

Inserve drati

Cabinet Distri-

bution.

MOST IMMEDIATE.

TOP SECRET.

My immediately preceding telegram.

Following is text of Chiefs of Staff

telegram to Washington. Begins.

H.M.G. are extremely anxious lest, by

reason of the hold-up of units of the British

Pacific Fleet at Subic Bay, Chinese forces

may forestall us in taking surrender of

*

Japanese at Hong Kong. Please impress on

U.S. Chiefs of Staff at once that we have done

everything in our power to conform to the

conditions laid down by the U.S. Chiefs of

Staff and to General MacArthur's own views as

regards acceptance of the surrender at Hong

Kong, and that there is a danger that Chinese,

profiting by delay imposed on our movement by

General MacArthur may forestall us there. You

should point out that we have held back our

forces on the clear understanding that U.S.

Chiefs of Staff will take all possible steps

vis à vis Japanese via MacArthur, and vis à

vis Chiang Kai-shek via Wedemeyer to ensure

that the surrender of Hong Kong is made to the

Officer Commanding the British Naval Force

detailed for that purpose.

Ends.

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