FO371-46254 — Page 38

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11. SURRENDER OF HONG KONG

Fo191/1147/

T

in Lith

35

dept

(Previous Reference: C.0.3.(45) 210th Mitg, Min.9)

вимоги

THE COMMITTEE referred to a telegram from General Hayes reporting the results of the first meeting of the Co-ordinating Committee held in Chungking on 30th.ugust 1945.

This

telegram contained a list of Chinese requests, on which they had asked for agreement before the surrender of Hong Kong. The next meeting of the Co-ordinating Comittee was fixed for 1st Septerbor, and agreement in principle was urgently requested to paragraph 2 of this telegram; prior to that mecting.

In discussion it was suggested that the Joint Planning stoff should consult all Departments concerned with a view to preparing a draft reply to paragraph 2 of the telegram from General Hoyes. The Comittee were disposed to agree, subject to certain safeguards, to the Chinese requests contained in paragraph 2. Paragraph 3 of the telegram could be dealt with

later.

SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM said that he considered it essential to send driral Harcourt instructions regarding the acceptance of surrender at Hong Kong. He circulated a draft telegram to ..dmiral Harcourt containing a back round of the

negotiations.

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In discussion certain cmendments were agreed to the draft telegram to Admiral Harcourt, and it was suggested that it would be advisable to obtain the approval of the Foreign Office to this telegram before despatching it.

THE COMMITTEE,

(a) Instructed the Joint Planning Staff, in

consultation with the Departments concerned, to prepare a draft reply to paragraph 2 of the tolegrain from General Hayes, for despatch that evening.

(b) Instruoted the Civil Affairs Directorate of

the War Office, in consultation with the Colonial Office, to prepare a draft

reply to the remainder of General Hayes' telogram.

(c) Invited the Admiralty to obtain the approval

of the Foreign Office to the telegram to Admiral Harcourt, as amended in discussion, and to arrange for its despatch accordingly.

* G.1969/S

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