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76588.

158

[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained

by the authorised recipient and not passed on.]

[CYPHER]

Sir H. Seymour.

CABINET DISTRIBUTION

FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

No. 1,061.

9th September, 1945.

واران

D:

9.12 a.m.GLT 9th September,1945. R: 10.30 a.m. BST 9th September, 1945.

tee

MOST IMMEDIATE

Your telegram No. 955.

F.5466/1147/9.

You will have seen telegraphic correspondence between Brigadier Cartwright and British Chiefs of Staff on co-ordination for Hong Kong. The only point still at issue concerns pro- vision for appeal to General MacArthur in case of disagreement between British and Chinese interpretations of directive to Admiral Harcourt.

2. Brigadier Cartwright has recommended acceptance and in doing so had my agreement. new point has now been brought in by the Chinese since the Brigadier's last signal and the Director of Military Intelligence was to-day accompanied by Dr. u in pressing upon the Brigadier the necessity for the inclusion of clause in [grp.undec. ? agreement]. The point made by Dr. Yu was that in my communications to the Ministry 'd of Foreign Affairs of August 20th and August 22nd (which were copied to you in my despatches Nos. 899 and 910) His Majesty's Government had committed themselves to give "first priority" to Chinese operational transit arrangements in Hong Kong. may be stretching British communications; but the point behind their insistence clearly is that the Chinese are nervous that Hong Kong administration will be so busy rehabilitating Hong Kong business etc. that Chinese requirements as to troop move- ments willbe relegated to secondary role. It is for this that the safeguard of reference to MacArthur is required.

This

3. Signature party plan to leave for Hong Kong tomorrow morning but signature will not take place until agreed directive has reached Harcourt. I can see no objection to accepting reference to appeal to Mac..rthur and sincerely hope Chiefs of Staff will agree: you will appreciate that refusal may again raise the whole question of Chinese "delegation" of authority to Sacarthur.

advance copies sent to Prime Minister and Chiefs of Staff.]

0.T.F.

A

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