FO371-46253 — Page 87

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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

RECEIVED BY 0.T.P.

IZ 8463

TOO 2222152 TOR 230047Z

IMMEDIATE

From: J.S.M. WASHINGTON

To:-

A.M.S.S.O.

JSM 15

22nd August, 1945.

Reference COS(W) 69.

As you know from the telegram repeated to you in ZO 653, the United States Chiefs of Staff have. instructed MacArthur and Wedemeyer to arrange for the surrender of Hong Kong to a British Commander as soon as the military co-ordination with the Generalissimo on operational matter indicated by the President is effected by the British". United States Chiefs of Staff sent this telegram in the hope that it would clear the way for quick action as soon as we had arranged the necessary co-ordination with the Generalissimo..

2.

In accordance with COS(W) 69 we informed the United States Chiefs of Staff that this military co- ordination was being effected by you and we gave them the assurance about the subsequent use of the port of Hong Kong. We asked them to pass this information on to MacArthur and Wedemeyer so that MacArthur could issue instructions for the surrender to the British Commander nominated by Admiral Fraser.

3.

The United States Chiefs of Staff point out that the American stipulation was that co-ordination should be effected by the British with the Generalissimo and they do not feel that the point would be met if they merely passed on your assurance to edemeyer. They feel that before Wedemeyer can give the all-clear to MacArthur he must have it first hand from the Generalissimo that the latter is satisfied that satisfactory co-ordination has been effected with the British; and they have shown us a message from Wedemeyer which says that neither he nor the Generalissimo's headquarters know anything at present of any negotiations on the subject between the British and Chinese Governments.

4.

In the circumstances and in the interests of speed we suggest you instruct the British representatives

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