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[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be
retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on]
F
[CYPHER]
CABINET DISTRIBUTION
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO WASHINGTON
No.8564
August 19th, 1945.
D. 2.30 p.m.
August 19th, 1945.
Repeated to Chungking No.930.
Supreme Allied Com and South East Asia No.579.
Q Q
MOST IMMEDI TE.
It may be useful for you to know that we are endeavouring to play down sensational stories of a race between ourselves and the Chinese to receive Japanese surrender in Hong Kong and are indicating in reply to press enquiries that there is no foundation for suggestion that a serious Sino-British political issue has been raised. understand that Chinese Embassy in London is adopting similar
We attitude.
2. Line we are taking is that stories no doubt arise from the fact that Chiang Kai-shek is the Supreme Allied Commander in the China Theatre. is natural that it should be reoccupied by the forces of the
But Hong Kong is a British colony and it sovereign power. Whole procedure for the rapid acceptance
of the Japanese surrender at key points of which Hong Kong is one is being elaborated in consultation between all concerned within the framework of a general plan under the Supreme Commander, General MacArthur.
ОТР
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