FO371-46257 — Page 9

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Ref:2523/13/45

No. 1228

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BRITISH EMBASSY,

WASHINGTON 8, D. C.

11 OCT 1945

October 1st, 1945.

F

Sir,

I have the honour to report that I am beginning to receive enquiries from United States businessmen who are anxious to return to Hong Kong. One such enquiry has already been transmitted to you under cover of my despatch No. 1126 of August 28th. I now enclose copies of a letter from the China-America Council of Commerce and Industry, Inc., an influential American organi- zation whose purpose is to foster American trade with China.

I should be grateful if I might be informed whether it is contemplated that American businessmen will be allowed to travel to Hong Kong in the near future.

The Council also enquires whether the delay in obtaining transit visas for India can be reduced. I understand that applications are referred to New Delhi, even when the applicant can show that he has a passage by air reserved right through to his destination in China, and that there is a delay of five or six weeks in receiving replies, even when applications are teletyped.

I am sending a copy of this despatch to the Passport Control Officer in New York.

The Right Honourable

Ernest Bevin, M.P.

etc.,

etc.,

etc.,

I have the honour to be

with the highest respect

Sir,

Your most obedient

humble servant,

Halifax

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