FO371-46254 — Page 86

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Ford Lotor Company, Ltd., Dagenham, Essex,

England.

Gentlemen:

1.

3883 Beatty Drive, Riverside, California. August 10th, 1945.

Att: Mr. H. A. Denne,

Export Sales Department.

75

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RE-ESTABLISH ENT OF WALLACE HARPER CO., LTD,

IN HONG KONG.

Copy of your letter, reference number R-8 dated June 28th, addressed to Mr. R. I. Roberge of Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, has been sent to me for information and action.

2. It is heartening to learn authoritatively that concrete plans are afoot in the Colonial Office for prompt rehabilitation of private commercial enterprise in Hong Kong at the earliest appropriate moment.

3. Enclosed for your information is copy of a letter I have sent to the British Embassy in Washington on the subject of my desire to resume the activities of Wallace Harper & Company,

likewise Ltd.,

in Hong Kong at the earliest possible moment; signifying my earnest wish to cooperate fully in any plans for reinstatement of commercial activity in the Colony.

4.

I shall endeavor to answer briefly the questions asked in your letter to Mr. Roberge.

(a) Fortunately I was in America on business at the time Hong Kong was attacked and occupied by the Japanese. Aside from being personally available for any rehabili- tation operations there are also two other key members of my former staff who escapted capture and will be available immediately return to Hong Kong is possible.

was unfortunate- Our General Manager, John Frederick Shea ly taken prisoner. Latest Ford through the British Red Cross is that he is being held in a P.0.W. camp in Kobe but is believed to be well. Following a generous leave of absence to recover from his ordeal and regain his health, Mr. Shea too will doubtlessly again resume his position with Wallace Harper Company, Ltd.

(b) I have formulated no plans for re-establishing my

business other than the general but decidedly definite one of re-turning to Hong Kong to resume operations at the very earliest possible moment.

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