FO371-46258 — Page 170

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DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO BE LIMITED TO THOSE OFFICERS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH ITS CONTENTS

TOP SECRET fo

IN 155

WARNING: This is an unparaphrased version of a secret cypher or confidential code message, and the text must first be paraphrased* if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British or Allied Government Services.

(*NOTE: Messages shown as having been sent in a One-Time Pad:

"O.T.P." are excepted from this

FROM: C. in C. Hong Kong

rule.)

November

DATE: 18.11.45..

RECD:

0141

1945

N

NAVAL CYPHER D BY W/T

ADDRESSED: Admiralty,

INFO:

IMMEDIATE

GUARD

War Office, M. of W.T., B.N.L.O. S.C.A.P., F.O.W.A., S.A.C.S.E.A., A.L.F.S.E.A., G.H.Q.India.

NIT

Guard number 502 Prom Civil Affairs reference S.A.C.S.E.A. 27900/236 D.T.G. 101111z addressed War Office

(1) Coal. I appreciate S.A.C.S.E.A. difficulties and agree that (?if) it were possible to secure a firm understanding that Hong Kong requirements should be met from Japan the responsibility of negotiating such an agreement would be better (?to) transfer

(2) Meantime situation here is far from reassuring due to continuing uncertain political conditions in all coal areas except Japan.

(3) Even Japanese sources however are jeopardized because Shanghai demands for coal will probably be transferred to Japan and will inevitably receive preference. B.N.L.O. S.C.A.P. signal. 120004 November in addition states "it was only after strenuous

representations including some plain speaking that every facility will now be given to FORT BUFFALO to load". From which it is obvious that S.C.A.P. lacks instructions to give us fuel help in coal problem, Newspaper reports also indicate that Japan herself is short of coal.

(4) On assumption that FORT BUFFALO arrives Hong Kong coal position still remains highly precarious it will remain so until it is possible to obtain through Washington from S.C.A.P.

commitment that Hong Kong requirement of 27500 tons monthly will be met from Japan.

(5)/

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