FO371-46254 — Page 177

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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

DESPATCHED BY 0.T.P.

8

6524

ok 55090FF 1945

TOO 0418207.

TOD. 041942Z

IMMEDIATE

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

153

то : BRITCHIN.

Info: Admiral Harcourt by Admiralty as Ț.0.0. 041815.

5509

1.

624th September, 1945.

Following from Chiefs of Staff to Cartwright.

Reference G.2005/S.

With the exception of your paragraph 4(c) to which we refer below, you can now agree with Chinese requests provided you make it clear that we shall interpret the agreement as meaning that Admiral Harcourt is the arbiter of his own needs.

2.

The request for airfield and port facilities in your paragraph 4(c) seems to us in a different category. The Chinese are asking for British facilities in a British Colony which is quite different from asking for the handing over of captured Japanese equipment. We must retain the responsibility for allocating the priorities on airfield and port facilities. You should, however, make it clear that we are in sympathy with the Chinese needs for these facilities and will do our best to meet them. We assume. that in view of the strain on Hong Kong, the Chinese will make fullest possible use of facilities in the Canton area.

3.

For your personal information, it looks as if British air requirements at Hong Kong will greatly exceed available airfield capacity for some time, and you should therefore be most careful not to accept accommodation of any U.S. or Chinese air units and to limit transit facilit- ies for U.S. and Chinese aircraft to the minimum.

Circulation

Foreign Office First Sea Lord C. I.G.S. C.A.S.

T.0.0. 041820Z

S. of S. Dominions S. of S. Colonies Defence Office

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