FO371-46259 — Page 104

Page 104

Page 104

COPY.

ENCLOSURE R

Hit =

HEADQUARTERS,

Major General Hayes to M-Wallinger, BRITISH TROOPS IN CHINA,

Refi S/907/0

CHUNGKING.

26th November, 1945

HM. Charae d'Affaires, British/Embassy.

The recent four day visit to Chungking of Major-General F.W. FESTING CBE., DSO., Commander Landforces Hongkong, was noteworthy for the extremely cordial nature of the reception he received from all Chinese military authorities from the Generalissimo downwards.

General Festing, the former Commander of the 36th British Division, is of course well known by name to most senior Chinese soldiers and is held in high regard by those of them with whom he cooperated so successfully in Burma. Nevertheless that along cannot be held accountable for the warmth of the welcome he received.

In the course of his short visit he had the honour of dining with the Generalissimo and Madame, Chiang Kai-shek, of lunching with the acting Chief of Staff and of attending a cocktail party given for him by General Ho Yin Chin, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Army. In addition all prominent Chinese generals present in Chungking made a point of attending a reception I gave in General Festing's honour, the Minister of war who had been detained at an important meeting arriving half an hour after the conclusion of the party! In apolo- goising for his tardy arrival he stated that he was so anxious to do the General honour that he felt he must put in an appearance whatever the hour!

General Festing paid official calls in the course of his visit on the Generalissimo, General Ho Yin Chin, the Minister of War, the acting Chief of Staff and the D.M.I. At all these the theme of the conversation was the urgent need of close Sino-British relations in view of the disturbed state of the world. Local problems connected with relations between Hongkong and Canton were also discussed in a spirit of great friendliness and mutual cooperation. Altogether one was left with an impression that the Chinese have not only accepted without rancour our return to Hongkong but are even relieved to find us there ready to lend a helping hand in any way we can. In the present disturbed state of China there may of course be ulterior considerations in the back of some Chinese minds regarding our presence in Hongkong which has traditionally formed a convenient refuge during times of stress! However that may be, General Festing's short visit to Chungking has been a huge success and one certainly need have no immediate fear of trouble with the Chinese over Hongkong •

Of late there has been a noticeable improvement in the Chinese attitude to us, an improvement which this visit has served most happily to underline. I attribute this to three main causes:

(a) Chinese uncertainty as to U.S. policy in this country and even fear that the Americans may "pull out" and leave them to their fate.

(b) The continued deterioration of the internal situation especially

in North China where civil war is openly raging.

(c) Fear of Russia whom the Chinese appear to think we understand

better than the Americans.

There are other reasons and one I consider to be of some importance viz the firm not to say uncompromising attitude we adopted over the surrender of Hongkong. The Chinese react to kindness and are hurt, perhaps childishly, by too frank criticism at which the Americans are notoriously adept. But in common with all Asiatic peoples the Chinese also react to the firm hand and this, suitably disguised whenever possible in a velvet glove, is in my opinion, the member for us to use upon them in the future.

Page 104

Our /

Page 104

Page 104