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Bubar Gu

From: A. M.S.S.O.

To

J.S.M., Washington

COS(W) 74

23rd. August, 1945.

Following from Chiefs of Staff.

H. M. G. are extremely anxious lest, by reason of the hold-up of units or the British Pacific Fleet at Subic Bay, Chinese forces may forestall us in taking surrender of Japanese en 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 United States 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-a-vis Japanese via MacArthur, and vis-a-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.

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Foreign Secretary First Sea Lord

C. I. G. S.

C.. S.

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S/S Dominions

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S/S India

M.-w.T.

Defence Office.

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