FO371-46258 — Page 136

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TOP SECRET

CIPHER TELEGRAM

Enter

F10131

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments or Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased. (Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased.){

1945

IMMEDIATE

From:

C.-ir C. Hong Kong.

To:-

Cabinet Offices.

081004

IZ

10382

TOO

0903462

+ TOR

10081OZ

F

99x13/10

X CCS A

For Chiefs of Staff and Colonial Office.

9th November, 1945.

Reference MIST 115 from Reid to Minister of War Transport.

I am convinced that the incident referred to in Reid's signal

presents the opportunity to press the issue by which Hong Kong ultimately

stands or falls as a commercial centro.

Circulation

Defence Office

Foreign Office

First Sea Lord.

TOO 0903462

Hessage held for check and repat.

Originally received 0914502

0.6. Tels, .0.

A.K.C.S. (C)

Secretary of State Colonies.

Minister of War Transport.

Distribution by C.4.4.

(Action by Colonial Office)

S. of S.

P.U.S.

P.U.S. (F)

F.M.

U.S. of S.

C.I.G.S. V.C.I.G. S.

A.C.I.G.S.(0) D.M.0. D.D. M.0.(a)(b) D. Plans. M.0.1, 12. D. M. I. M.I.2, 17. D.C.A.

D.D.C. (M.G.)

Col. C.A. D.E. (C.A.)

D. D. C.A. (P & T) C.A. 3, 4, 9, 17.

F.5.

C.10.

Brig.Q.Ops.

3.Ops.5.

D.D.P.Mov. (0)

Q.M.2, 6, 8.

S.D.5.

C.A.Staff (Hong Kong)28,Grosvenor St.

Foreign Office, Mr.Scott, Far East Deptr

Colonial Office (Mr.Gent)

NOTE BY C.A.1.

(Tel.Sec.)(15)

MAST 115 is an M.T Sigmal from their representative in South China, The incident referred to is that of a British Ship, the "WINGSANG" ́sont from Hong Kong to Swatow carrying important Chinese Govt. officials. The boat is now held up at the entrance to Swatow, as details of every coast voyage have to be referred to the Central Government at Chungking and special permission obtained to enter a Chinese port.

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