FO371-46257 — Page 88

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

CHINA.

SECRET.

October 19,

1945.

SECTION 2.

BOHNES

[F 8592/1147/10]

Copy No. &

Sir H. Seymour to Mr. Bevin. (Received 19th October.)

(No. 1054. Secret.) Sir.

Chungking, 5th October, 1945. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of certain notes prepared by Mr. Wallinger on his return to Chungking from Hong Kong on the 3rd October.

2. Mr. Wallinger's optimism about the prospects of the colony is shared by Brigadier Kay, the Canadian Military Attaché here, who has commented on the remarkable progress made towards rehabilitation in the course of the four weeks he recently spent in the colony; and by Mr. Keswick, who has also now returned to Chungking. The notes draw attention to certain immediate shortages, and I am studying what can be done from the Chinese side to remedy the situation. Any transfers of staff from British military organisations can, of course, only be a palliative and the problem of strengthening the Administration is not one upon which can advise but it becomes daily clearer to me that, if British interests in the Far East are to be re-established and expanded in the future, we shall have to rely entirely on our own efforts and are unlikely to be able to count on much Chinese assistance; it would appear that the best centre for the exertion of that effort is likely to be Hong Kong. To that extent I may be justified in urging that the earliest consideration be given to the requirements of the colony, both in personnel and in the provision of shipping, fuel and other commodities.

3. On specific matters to be taken up here I shall report in due course, as action is taken. In the meantime, I trust that the enclosed notes, which have been produced rapidly to catch this week's bag, will prove of interest to the departments concerned.

I am sending a copy of this despatch to the Commander-in-chief, Hong Kong.

I have. &c.

H. J. SEYMOUR.

Enclosure.

Notes on a Visit to Hong Kong, 26th September to 3rd October, 1945. (Secret.)

TYPHOON conditions having prevented my proceeding to Hong Kong by R.A.F. from Kunming on any day from the 21st to the 25th September, I abandoned the project and returned to Chungking on the latter date. As, how- ever, Admiral Fraser was still here and was leaving for the colony next day, on your instructions I obtained a lift from the commander-in-chief. We landed at Kaitak airfield in the early afternoon of the 25th September and proceeded forth- with to H.M.S. Duke of York. It was refreshing to see Japanese prisoners of war hard at work on the airfield unloading drums of petrol from a lighter under robust commando guards.

2. The commander-in-chief was visited at various times after our arrival by Admirals Harcourt (Commander-in-chief, Hong Kong), Daniel (Commander- in-chief of the Task Group in Hong Kong), and Fisher (Commander-in-chief of the Fleet Train and now Flag Officer, Western Areas--which is a tactful euphemism for the China coast), Air Commodore Brook, Air Officer Commanding, Hong Kong, and Mr. Keswick. Admiral Fraser gave accounts of his visit to Chungking and thereafter made a signal to your Excellency on the question of British aid in sweeping mines in south China ports. Admiral Fraser said that he had been convinced that the generalissimo was nervous about British ships pro- ceeding to Chinese ports and felt that it would be a great mistake to allow them to do so under American orders. He insisted at the same time that he had pointed out to the generalissimo the obvious advantages of unified command in these

matters.

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