HONGKONG SURRENDER BE MEN BY BRITISH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 200, 24 August 1945, Page 5

HONGKONG SURRENDER BE MEN BY BRITISH

PLANS ANNOUNCED Prepared To Re-establish Former Controls N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 23. Arrangements are being made for the British commander to receive the Japanese surrender at Hongkong, said Mr. Attlee, Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, in reply to a question by Mr. Churchill. The House cheered when Mr. Attlee added that plans for the re-establish-ment of British administration in Hongkong were fully prepared. Mr. Churchill said: "May I presume you recall that on numerous occasions, particularly at the Cairo Conference in 1943, the Government made it plain that it did not contemplate any modification in the sovereignty of His Majesty's territories in the Far East."

Mr. Attlee replied: "I fully recollect the statements and will bear them in mind."

The Press Association diplomatic correspondent says that Hongkong area is in the sphere of Chinese military operations but the British Government feels that it is its paramount responsibility to care for the population in its own territory. Dr. T. V. Soong, Prime Minister of China, who will fly to London early next week, has not given notice that he will raise the question of Hongkong. The question of Hongkong would be discussed at the coming meeting in London between the Foreign Ministers of Britain, the United States, Russia, China and France, said the United ■ States Secretary of State, Mr. J. F. Byrnes, at a Press conference in Washington. It is pointed out in London that the British Foreign Office had no previous knowledge of this. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday on this subject, the. Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, said: "I am sure that, in agreement with our Chinese and American Allies, our territory will be returned to

It is expected that the Japanese surrender in Hongkong will be received there by cWse generals. The commander of the Allied land forces in China, General Wedemever said to-day that the Britisn fnd Chinese Governments are now negotiating about whose forces wil occupy the city after its formal sur render.