HONG KONG
under
JAPANESE OCCUPATION
A Case Study in the Enemy's Techniques of Control
AST.P. Far Eastern
Prepared by
ROBERT S. WARD
Office File Copy
4
American Consul
fe n
a 1 8 ,1 9 6
Detailed to the
PAR EASTERN UNIT
Lus BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
WASHINGTON , D. C.
ORN
IA
J
DUCUU L8
NENTS
DIVISION
1943
2-11638
TABLE OF CONTENTS D802
H7115 PageNumber
1943
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY i
I. CONQUEST OF THE COLONY.. 1
A The Attack .. 1
B. The Siege 2
1. Resistance on the Mainland ... 2
Defense of the New Territories . 2
bi The Abandonment of Kowloon . 4
O The First Peace Offer . 6
2. The Second Phase ..... 7
a. The Intensified Bombing and
Shelling of Hong Kong 7
b. The Situation of the Besieged. 8
C. The Fear of a Fifth Column .. 9
a. The Second Peace Offer. 10
3.. The Last Phase :
Fighting on the Island ll
a. Landing at North Point ll
b. The Time to Advance ... 11
C. Christmas Eve 12
C. The Surrender ....... 13
The Decision . 13
II . THE PERIOD OF LOOTING 14
A. The Conqueror's Cut. 14
1. Out Shipments ..... 14
2. Sealed Stocks and Premises 14
B. Individual Enterprise .. 15
1. Japanese 15
2. Chinese .. 15
3. Foreign ... 16
C. Flower Girls .... 16
D. Chinese Reaction . 17
III . THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLS .... 19
A. Administrative Organization 19
1. Martial Law....... 19
2. Civil Administration
Department Established ... 20
3. Efforts to Procure Chinese Cooperation . 21
4. Rehabilitation Committee Formed 23
5. Districts Demarcated ........ 24
6 District Affairs Bureau .... 25
7. Isogai Takes Over as Governor. 25
a. Flash-back ..... 25
b. A Second Showing . 26
G. The General Replies 26
d. Order of the Day ...... 26
e. Yazaki and Sometani Depart . 27
f. Japanese Cons 38888 . 27
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8. Civil Court of Justice 28
9. Laws for Hong Kong's Governance 28
10 . Twin Councils . 30
11 . Bureaus for the Conquered Territory . 31
12 . The Governor's Office .... 32
13 . In Contrast . 33
B Public Safety .... 35
1. With the Army in Charge 35
2. Gang Rule 36
3. Protection , Guards , and Gates 36
4. Re-establishment of a Police Force . 37
5. Gendarmerie Takes Over 37
6. Street Guards and Self
protection Corps Ordered Disbanded. 39
7. Prohibition of Gambling . 39
8. Regulations of the Gendarmerie 41
a. Espionage and Sedition 41
b. " Third Nationals ". 41
C. Impersonation of Officials.. 42
d. No More Fire-crackers ..
仍&&.
43
e . Curfew ... 43
f. " Regulations for
Police Punishments" 43
c. Repatriation .. 45
1. Purpose. 45
2. Means .. 46
a. Repatriation Bureau . 46
b. Function of the Guilds 46
C. District Bureaus 47
d. The Squeeze . 47
e. Routes Out . 48
3. Estimate of Numbers .. 49
D. Food Supplies 50
1. Rice ...... 50
a. Acute Shortage 50
b. Rationing 52
C. Black Market .. 54
2. Other Rationed Items . 54
a. Sugar .. 54
D. Cooking Oil . 55
C. Flour 55
lie
3. Unrationed Foods 55
a. Efforts to Control Marketing. 55
11
quoque
b. Establishment of Selling Areas 56
in 3 9
C. Syndicates 56
d. New Territories
?
Agricultural Association 56
? %
e. Prices .. 56
E. - Commerce and Industry . 57
1. Means of Control . 57
a. Effect of the Occupation 57
b. Rules and Regulations 57
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G. Economic Section , 58
h. Chinese Chamber of Commerce . 58
e . Manufacturers ' Union 60
2. Exploitation 62
a. Bribery . 62
b. Disposal of Stocks .. 62
C. Japanese Partners 62
d. Japanese Firms 63
3. State of the Trade 64
a. Shops ..... 64
b. Restaurants 64
C. Companies 64
d. Factories .... 64
e . Import and Export Trade. 65
F. Finance 66
1. Currency ... 66
a. Hong Kong notes .. 66
b. Military Yen .. 67
2. Banks . 68
a. Withdrawals 68
b. Liquidation .. 69
C. Chinese ..... 70
d. Japanese .. 70
e . Associations 70
f. Gold and Silver Exchange . 70
g. Remittances ... 71
G. Transport and Communications .. 71
1. Intra-urban Transport . 71
a . Tramways . 71
b. Bus Services 72
C. Ferry Service 3 72
d. Peak Tram ... 72
e . Private Autos . 73
f. Other Vehicles 73
2. Extra - urban Transport , 73
a. Canton --Kowloon Railroad 73
b. Kai Tak Aerodrome 74
EFFERO
3. Communications .. 75
a. Wireless 75
b. Telephones . 76
c . Posts .... 77
H. Shipping .... 77
1. Routes Restored 77
a. Shipping Schedules . .77
b. Junk Traffic..... 79
2. Salvage .. 79
3. New Construction 79
a . Ships on the Ways .... 79
b. Wooden Cargo Boats 79
I. Public Utilities .. 80
1 . Water Supply 80
2. Electricity 81
3. Gas......... 81
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J. Public Health ... 82
1. The Danger of Plague . 82
2. Prevention 82
a, Anti-Cholera Bureau . 82
b. Fly -eradication Week 83
C. Cleansing Campaign .. 83
3. Organization .... 84
a . Medical Department 84
b. Medical and Dental Associations 84
C. Medical Supplies .. 85
a. Hospitals... 85
K. Social and Cultural Controls 85
1. Education ....... 85
a. Shift to Japanese 85
(1) Japanese Classes. 85
( 2 ) Japanese Place Names 86
( 3 ) Required Courses. 87
b. Regulations Governing Schools 87
C. Teachers ' Training Institute 88
d. East Asia Academy.. 89
e. The General Library 89
2. Propaganda ..... 90
a. The Message . 90
b. Vehicles 91
(1) Victories in the Field. 91
(2) Celebrations of Victory. 91
(3) Broadcast Van and
Picture Slides 92
(4) The Press ..... 92
(5) Films and the Theatre 94
( 6 ) Radio ..... 94
( 7 ) Symbolic Acts . 95
c. Organizations 95
( 1 ) Hsing Ya Chi Kuan . 95
( 2 ) India Independence League 95
(3 ) East Asia Cultural
Association 98
( 4 ) Labor Unions . 98
3. Religion ..... 100
4. Amusements . 100
a . The Pool Halls . 100
b. The Movies 100
C. The Races 100
d. South China Athletic Association . 101
IV . THINGS AS THEY ARE . 102
A. Japanese Objectives . 102
1. In the World ... 102
2. In Asia . 102
3. In Hong Kong 102
B. Techniques ... 102
1. The Withdrawal of Security 102
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2. Access ...... 103
a. The Destruction of
Independent Strength..... 103
b. The Reduction of the population 103
C. Organizational Control , 103
d. The Control of Thought . 103
3. The Vision ... 103
C. Estimated Dividend .. 104
1. On the Debit Side. 104
2. The Positive Gains 104
D. The Peril ........... 105
APPENDIX
. 6 .
ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing
Page Number
Map .....
i
Japanese Army Marching into Hong Kong. 12
HONG KONG NEWS , January 12 , 1942 .
20
Lt. Gen. Isogai .....
24
Japanese Consul- General Shaking
Hands with Lt. Col. Tada.
26
Three Members of Council
30
" Familiar Sight in Hong Kong Streets"
92
Removal of Statue of Queen Victoria
94
!
i
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
It is the premise of this report that the Japanese follow a consistent
pattern of exploitation in the areas which they have conquered ; that they tend
to employ the same techniques of occupation in Hong Kong that they are using in
the Philippines , in Singapore , and in the Netherlands 'Indies . Proceeding from
that premise , the writer has attempted to present a detailed examination of
that pattern and those techniques in a particular area under Japanese occupation .
Hong Kong was chosen because the writer lived there prior to Pearl Harbor ,
was interned there for six months , and was able to bring away with him not
only the recollection of the things that he saw , but a fairly complete file of
the Japanese-controlled English language newspaper in which most of the offi
cial acts , as well as many of the related developments , were recorded . But
apart from this circumstance , the erstwhile British Colony is an excellent case
in point : there a typical British Colonial administration was succeeded by
the armies of Japan , and against the background of that succession the aims of
the Japanese , and the means they are using to attain them , stand out as clearly
as they could anywhere .
Although , as has been said , this study is properly and by its main purpose
an examination of Japanese techniques of occupation , it has been carried back
to the opening of the Pacific War , the story of the Japanese attack on Hong
Kong , which forms its first section , serving as an essential Prologue without
which the subsequent action would be in part at least unintelligible . In Hong
Kong , as in Singapore and the Netherlands Indies , the manner in which the Jap
anese conquest came about conditioned the local populace , making it receptive
to Japanese control and simplifying the problems of the conqueror . We could
not hope to understand the quiescence of Hong Kong Chinese after the conquest ,
or their reaction to the British defeat , without knowing something of the ex
periences through which the Colony passed in the course of the fighting .
The Japanese attack upon Hong Kong opened in the early morning of Decem
ber 8 with action against the prepared positions of the British in the New
Territories north of Kowloon . It was continued by the successful bombing of
Hong Kong's only airfield at 8:00 the same morning . The course of the siege
which thus opened may be divided into three periods . The first , that of resis
tance on the mainland , ended abruptly with the collapse of the British left
flank and the subsequent withdrawal of all British forces across the harbor to
Hong Kong , a movement which was completed by Friday , December ll . The second ,
that of the intensified bombing and shelling of the Island , was punctuated at
its opening and its close by two Japanese peace missions offering to accept the
Colony's surrender both of them being summarily rejected -- and was marked
by the deepening gravity of siege conditions , with the disruption of communica
tions , widespread destruction , and the growing fear on the part of the authori
ties of large-scale fifth- columnist ' activities . The third period , that of the
fighting on the island itself , opened on the night of Thursday the 17th with a
successful Japanese landing at North Point , an operation which they extended
and exploited throughout the following week , and closed when , on December 25 ,
the defense collapsed and the Governor surrendered Hong Kong .
Formal capitulation was effected on December 26 , and the Japanese Army
entered the city on the morning of the 27th . There followed a period of anarchy
in which wholesale looting and rape were allowed to continue until the leading
ii
elements in the Chinese community were glad to respond to the overtures of the
Japanese military ; requested by the latter to form a committee of assistance ,
they promptly set up the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee . The Civil Admin
istration Department of the Japanese Army which sponsored this organization
also set up a series of Chinese-staffed " District Affairs Bureaus . "
On February 25 , 1942 , Lt. General Isogai took over the office of Governor
of the " Conquered Territory , " modifying the administration by centering the
actual control in the " Governor's Office , " comprising the administrative bureaus
which ran the Colony , and establishing three Japanese-staffed " Area Bureaus"
for the several parts of the " Territory . " To aid him in his relations with the
people he created two bodies , the small " Chinese Representative Council " and
the larger " Chinese Co-operative Council" to take the place of the earlier
Rehabilitation Advisory Committee . Police power was vested in the Gendarmerie ,
and through martial law and a system of supplementary laws and police regula
tions the Japanese sought to procure complete and minute control over the move
ments and actions of every individual resident of the Colony .
The problem of overcrowding was met by the systematic expulsion from Hong
Kong of perhaps half the population ; the food supply was manipulated to en
courage this large-scale repatriation . A rice famine was followed by rice
rationing ; the individual rations were insufficient , and the authorities tended
to use the issuance of ration cards as only another rope around the neck of
the local resident .
Control over the commerce and industry of the Colony was achieved through
the Economic Section , which used as its most important implements the Chinese
Chamber of Commerce , with its constituent guilds , and the Manufacturers ' Union .
The foreign and " hostile " Chinese banks were liquidated ; the issuance of mili
tary yen good only in Hong Kong " legalized " the draining off of the Colony's
resources , while the devaluation of Hong Kong currency destroyed the value of
private holdings . The transport and communications systems were restored to a
controlled and limited functioning under military bureaus ; the Kaitak aerodrome
was greatly enlarged . There was a partial resumption of the Colony's shipping,
and a large-scale and ambitious program of wooden-ship construction was inau
gurated .
A house-cleansing campaign to clear the city of the filth and dead bodies
that the fighting and lawlessness had left was undertaken by the Medical Depart
ment; its Anti-Cholera Bureau meanwhile attempted to inoculate every one in
the " Territory . "
If in all these things the Japanese were largely successful in what they
sought to do , they were even more so in the field of social and cultural con
trois . Japanese became the basic language ; the training requirements of teach
ers and the regulations governing schools turned the educational system into an
integrated " East - Asia " indoctrination machine ; and the flood of anti-white
propaganda poured over the people in Hong Kong and sprayed out from the Colony
in all directions may well leave marks that this generation will not erase .
It is true that the disregard which the Japanese exhibit for the welfare
of the people in Hong Kong has bred a deep hostility to their rule ; the ex
-iii
cesses of the soldiery , the driving out of a great part of the propertied class
es , the confiscation of factories and homes , the deliberate depression of the
living standards of large sections of the population , have made the Japanese
many bitter enemies among the very Chinese whom they claim they came to liber
ate . A Chinese resident driven out of Hong Kong after being robbed of all his
property , or an American businessman returning on the GRIPSHOLM after seeing
his business liquidated and being held for six months in internment , will
neither of them bear witness to anything but the blight the Japanese bring .
Everything that Hong Kong meant to them the Japanese have destroyed ; they
cannot forget the starvation and the suffering and the hateful acts .
And it is not unnatural that their factual and moving accounts of these
things should have led the West to believe that the most chaotic conditions
obtain in Hong Kong , and that there -S
as well as in other parts of the con
quered territories -- the means which the Japanese employ defeat their own ends ,
and prevent the full economic and political exploitation of their successes .
But the one vitally important fact in the whole account of the occupation
of Hong Kong is simply this : every step that the Japanese have taken in the
Colony has contributed to the prosecution of their aims . They want to assure
the security of their forces of occupation : they turn the police control of
the city over to the Gendarmerie . They want to force the Chinese to cooperate
with them : they subject the whole Colony to a dose of the worst anarchy .
They want to strengthen the defense of the Island : they drive out the surplus
population that so embarrassed that defense when they were the attackers .
They want to ensure their control of the population that remains : they im
poverish the upper and middle classes , making all alike helpless and dependent
on them . There is nothing that they would not do , however savage it might
be , and no sacrifice that they would not make , however costly it might prove
in the lives or treasure of their subject peoples , if they believed that it
would serve the ends that they have so clearly in mind . Under the British ,
the shell was brittle and fragile , for all the firmness of its look , and even
though the substance inside was abundant and fresh ; under the Japanese the
shell is as hard as steel , even though the contents have been sucked almost dry .
We cannot read the lesson of the past if we will not look at the page on
which it is written . If now we will pay no heed to the diligence with which
the Japanese is working in his conquered lands to prepare our destruction ,
we will be as unready to meet the issue that will ultimately be joined in Asia
as we were to defend Pearl Harbor on a December Sunday in 1941 .
- I -
I. CONQUEST OF THE COLONY
A. The Attack The first official communique after the Japanese attack
had begun , issued on the morning of December 8 by the Battle Headquarters of
the British forces defending Hong Kong , stated that the general alarm to the
garrison had been given at 5:00 a.m. that morning and that battle positions had
been manned at dawn . It continued :
" Demolition parties were in position at 5:30 a.m. and blew up
the demolitions in the forward area successfully at that time . One
of the railway bridges gave trouble but it was blown up by the Volun
teers at 9:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. the road demolitions on the Castle
Peak Road were successively blown up .
" The frontier companies are in their forward defensive positions
under the command of Major Gray .
" The Japanese are field-bridging at the frontier at two places .
Several parties of between 300 and 400 men have been seen on their
side of the frontier and are expected to cross shortly .
" The police from the frontier posts have been successfully with
drawn .
" At 8:00 a.m. Kai Tak was bombed and dive-bombed and the Japan
ese aircraft were greeted with hot fire from the light automatic
weapons of the R.A.F. and the Volunteers . It is regretted that two
of our planes on the ground were hit . The raid on Kowloon caused
slight damage and casualties .
" All Japanese in the Colony have been rounded up .
" The garrison is fully confident and everything that has happen
ed so far has happened exactly as we foresaw it . There has been no
surprise of any kind . "
The bombing of the Kai Tak air field was the first warning that Hong Kong
as a whole received that the Colony was attacked . The air raid alarm sounded
at 8:00 , when Japanese planes were already in full view , bombing and strafing
the air port , situated just across the harbor from Hong Kong . The Clipper ,
scheduled to leave for Manila at eight that morning , was set on fire and de
stroyed , and it is believed that as many as seven other planes were destroyed
on the field . Five planes were saved , * and it was subsequently reported that
one of the attacking planes had been shot down , presumably while it was on its
way back to its base .
A second air raid occurred at about 1:30 in the afternoon , when twelve
Japanese planes attacked North Point .
* On the nights of Monday and Tuesday these five planes shuttled back and forth from Hong
Kong to Nam Yung , landing on and taking off from the damaged Kai Tak airport in almost total
darkness , to take out of the Colony certain key Chinese and foreigners caught there .
- 2 -
-
At 2:30 in the afternoon a combined assembly of the Executive and Legis
lative Councils , the advisory bodies assisting the appointed executive in the
Government of Hong Kong , heard a formal announcement by the Governor , Sir Mark
Young , that a state of war existed between the British Empire and Japan . In
reply to the Governor's brief statement , Mr. M. K. Lo , speaking as the repre
sentative of the Chinese in Hong Kong , pledged their wholehearted support and
loyalty .
There thus opened the siege of Hong Kong . Its course falls naturally into
three periods : the resistance on the mainland ; the bombing and shelling of
Hong Kong which followed the withdrawal from Kowloon ; and the fighting conse
quent on Japanese landings on the Island itself .
B. The Siege .
1. The Resistance on the Mainland .
a. Defense of the New Territories. In some Government quarters at least
it had been the confident expectation that should war break out , it would be
possible to defend the New Territories from an overland Japanese attack for
from two to five months , or until it might be possible to receive relief and
reinforcements . All other preparations had evidently been predicated on this
assumption , and there were no developments during the first two days of the
fighting giving the residents of Hong Kong any indication of the fact that
events in other parts of the Pacific and of the world had already rendered it
untenable . The positions were maintained intact during Monday , and in the sharp
skirmishing with advanced Japanese patrols which were reported to have occurred
on Tuesday , the communiques pictured all attacks as having been repulsed .
The official communique issued at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday stated in part :
" The Japanese launched a heavy attack on our positions at 1 a.m.
this morning from the Shing Mun Valley and the direction of Needle
Hill . Some penetration of our forward defenses occurred but the
attack has for the moment been halted . Fighting is continuing . In
spite of extremely poor visibility our artillery of all natures has
put in some very effective shooting . "
A further communique issued during the afternoon of the same day said :
" Two attacks from the direction of Shing Mun have been beaton
off and the situation has been stabilized at approximately this morn
ing's position . There has been no substantial change . ... Two boat
loads of the enemy attempted to cross Tide Cove and land on East
Shore . Both boats were sunk by machine gun fire , and the remnant of
the landing party was wiped out on the beach . Reports reaching Head
quarters testify to the effectiveness of our artillery fire last
night . "
- 3
A third communique, issued at 5:00 p.m. , stated :
" Positions on the mainland were maintained during the afternoon .
The enemy brought up artillery support on the Castle Peak Road and
engaged Stonecutters Island . Our naval units in the vicinity replied ,
and those were later supported by Stonecutters and Island Defense
guns . Our field artillery on the mainland hotly engaged enemy troops
concentrations during the afternoon . Good results were observed .
Our casualties during these engagements were very light ."
The artillery fire was particularly heavy , lasting throughout the day and
well into the night . There were four fairly heavy air raids in the course of
the day , although no one of them engaged more than six planes , and none during
the night.
Meanwhile a message " of confidence and encouragement " in their ordeal had
been addressed by His Majesty the King to his government and people in Hong
Kong . " I have every trust in your leadership and in the spirit of fearless
devotion which will uphold the garrison and people of Hong Kong ... under God's
providence all the efforts of the enemy will be brought to nought . " His Ex
cellency the Governor replied , " We are indeed cheered by the words which the
King has addressed to his people in Hong Kong and every one of us will do his
utmost to be worthy of His Majesty's confidence . "
On the same day steps were taken to meet the food scarcity created in the
Colony by the action of the rice and other food shops in closing their doors at
the outbreak of the war . The Government gazetted an order compelling every
undertaking for the sale of food to keep open from 8 a.m. until sunset , and an
official of the Food Control Department broadcast an assurance that there was
plenty of food in the Colony for everyone , foreigners and Chinese alike . As
a further earnest of this fact , and to quiet public fears , the opening of free
Food Kitchens was begun .
Although during the early hours of Thursday morning enemy shelling appeared
to be appreciably closer and was very heavy , it evidently did relatively little
damage to the morale of the defenders , and the communique issued during the
forenoon said , reassuringly :
" It has been a quiet night and there is nothing to report . Some
shelling of the Island took place but it had only a nuisance value .
Damage and casualties are insignificant . "
Newspapers and other organs in contact with the public were at the same
time informed that the Military Authorities wanted it made generally known that
from that time forward the north side of Hong Kong Island was under observa
tion from enemy artillery posts and would be subjected to intermittent and
probably accurate enemy shelling .
There were the usual series of air-alerts throughout Thursday , and the
only notable development other than the more intense shelling was the issuance
of an order by the Auxiliary Quartering Corps to all those persons on the Peak
- 4
or Mid - levels , who had previously been informed that in an emergency their
houses would be taken over for billeting purposes , that they should pack up and
be ready to move at 5:00 p.m. That evening they were given billeting cards
stating the accomodations alloted to them .
In the official communique of the Battle Headquarters issued on Friday
morning there was no reference to the progress of operations on the mainland :
" The Island was subjected to a certain amount of sporadic bom
bardment by aircraft and artillery during the day , and for a short
period during the night , but casualties were very low , and damage
negligible . It is probable that during the next week or so , the
Island will be subjected to some bombing and shellfire , but if the
public profits by its experience of taking cover and of dispersal ,
casualties can be kept very low .
"The G.O.C. * would like to congratulate the civil population on
their calm confidence and steadiness , and assures them that if they
will continue in this gallant manner they have nothing to fear . "
b. The Abandonment of Kowloon . In the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST of Satur
day morning there appeared the following communique , issued as of Friday ,
2:30 p.m .;
" We have successfully evacuated our troops , supplies , and essen
tial services from Kowloon . Yesterday the enemy pressed his attack
with vigor and in the face of superior numbers we had to fall back .
It will be appreciated that the bulk of our garrison has , from the
beginning , had to be retained on the Island to safeguard our main
base .
" The position we have now reached is as follows : We have re
tired within our Fortress and from the shelter of our main defenses
we will hold off the enemy until the strategic situation permits of
relief .
" Emphasis is placed on the word ' Fortress ' - every man and woman
must contribute a war effort to this end . There is every reason for
confidence . Both military and civil authorities have for a long time
been working to a situation where reserves of food , guns and ammuni
tion are ample for a protracted defense on a siege scale . There is
every reason for confidence . The garrison is in good spirits and the
staunchness of the civil population is marked . The simple task before
every one of us now is to hold firm .
" Our losses during all engagements on the mainland have been
comparatively light , and the troops gained a valuable time lag for
civil defense measures to swing into action .
* General Officer Commanding .
- 5
" A remarkable rearguard action was fought by about 100 men of an
Indian battalion through the streets of Kowloon . They were success
fully evacuated this morning in broad daylight on a Star Ferry from
the stern of which they continued the action by machine- gun fire in
the face of heavy enemy fire.
" Great praise is due to members of the Government Medical De
partment and the Auxiliary Medical Corps who voluntarily remained at
their posts in Kowloon and are rendering assistance where necessary
to the Chinese population . Cir ! (1
" For their own safety the population is warned to keep away from
all waterfronts . "
The withdrawal from Kowloon which this statement reported " had been exe
cuted under the impulsion of the most stringent military necessity, and that
it could have been carried out not only without the Japanese suspecting that it
was in progress , but without the Chinese having any inkling of it until it was
completed, is truly remarkable . The Japanese attack , which had begun at 1:00
a.m. on Wednesday morning had evidently continued until, probably sometime
Wednesday afternoon , the defending lines broke on the left flank when the
The Japanese , smeared with the
hard-beset Royal Scots were forced to fall back .
mud of the dirt and clay banks over which they crawlęd, had managed to infil
trate through the lines and to take one ,of the Royal Scoțs ' strategig forward
positions by surprise . According to an authentic British account of this cru
cial action , the defenders displayed the greatest individual courage , but
found themselves with the Japanese both in front and back of them in the very ,
first hours of the battle . When they gave way , the
ܫ subsequent withdrawal be
came inevitable . * . 7. **LY
This movement had presumably been begun late Wednesday afternoon and pro
ceeded throughout the night . Some , refugees from . Kowloon stated that they be
多
lieved that police and other communal services had ceased in Kowloon by Wednes
day night, and it is certainly true that they had been withdrawn on Thursday .
Ferry services stopped at about noon on Thursday ,, and no transportation of any
kind across the harbor was available on Friday : Kowloon's hoodlums and gang
sters were evidently the first to discover what had happened , and for almost two
days they were in complete control of the territory , looting as , they pleased ,
and forcing the financially better-off among the residents to make large " con
tributions " to purchase the protection of the various " unions" and " societies
* Honor too is due the Indians , who fought yaliantly , and the almost untrained Chinese vol
unteers , who held their ground and died where they stood.in JI
- 6 -
11
to maintain public safety . The Japanese themselves did not cross the New
Territories into Kowloon Proper until the evening of Friday . *
C. The First Peace Offer . In these circumstances it was not unnatural
that the Japanese should offer to negotiate with the British defenders for the
surrender of the Island . They did this on Saturday morning , a mission headed
by a Lieutenant Colonel with two junior officers crossing the harbor to Queen's
Pier with two British women as hostages . A subsequent communique ( issued at
5:30 p.m. , Monday , December 15 , 1941 ) describes this mission and the British
reply in the following words :
" It can now be revealed that the Japanese delegation , which came
over from Kowloon under the cover of a white flag , brought a letter
enquiring if H. E. the Governor was willing to negotiate for the sur
render of Hong Kong . His Excellency rejected this proposal , and re
plied that he was not prepared in any circumstances to hold any meet
ing or parley on such a subject .
" Not only is this Colony strong enough to resist all attempts at
invasion but it has the loyal backing of the resources and peoples
of the British Empire , of the United States of America , and of the
Republic of China . British subjects , and those who have sought the
protection of the British Empire , can rest assured that there will
never be any surrender to the Japanese ." *
* Mrs. C. R. Lee , wife of the Governor's Private Secretary , who was serving as an Air Raid
Precaution Warden in Kowloon, is quoted as saying ( when she was brought over by a Japanese
" Peace Mission " as hostage ) : " Like so many people on the Kowloon side, I was unaware of the
evacuation of Kowloon util it was virtually completed . It was Thursday afternoon ... a
bomb fell near ... I saw several bodies lying in the street ... I went to the station to in
form the police . I found nobody there . We could not tell what to do ... We were making
shift with whatever light we could arrange on Friday night when the Japanese made their first
appearance . " It is of course obvious that anything less than complete secrecy would have
endangered the withdrawal : the numerous members , Chinese and foreign , of the air raid pre
caution squads and other civilian corps could not all have been informed in advance . The
fact that they had to be abandoned along with Kowloon was nevertheless one of the tragedies
of the defense , and one of the circumstances most often cited by critics of its course ,
especially after the fall of Hong Kong .
* The positive wording of this reply , and the defiance of its tone , were doubtless deliber
ately adopted by the British defenders of the Colony to reassure the Chinese population , to
whom any suggestion of equivocation in language would have meant that the high command al
ready regarded the situation as hopeless .
-7
2. The Second Phase .
a. The Intensified Bombing and Shelling of Hong
Kong.
Hong Kong had already entered the second phase of its struggle when this
offer was rejected . The shelling on Thursday had been noticeably more intense ,
and continued to increase thereafter both in intensity and accuracy . The first
air raid of Friday morning was the twenty- first which the Colony had undergone
since the opening of hostilities , and there were five more on the same day , the
air- raid alert being " on " most of the morning and early afternoon .
Key-noting the more desperate situation in which the Colony now found
itself ,the Governor on Saturday issued a statement addressed to the Civil
Defense Services , in which he thanked them , and stated :
" There is before you a task that can and will be done if you go
to it with all your courage and all your might . The defense of Hong
Kong against the aggressor is going to be the finest page in the
Colony's history . See that your name is written on that page . Good
I!
fortune to you all . "
The bund was now regarded as the " front line , " and it had overnight flower
ed in sandbags and barbed-wire entanglements , and was deserted by pedestrians ,
it being widely feared that the rejection of the peace offer would be followed
by a crossing directly over the harbor . Saturday passed relatively quietly ,
however , there being only two air raids , no new developments in the shelling
and no attempt at a landing on the Island ,
On Sunday there were markedly sharper artillery exchanges , but only one
air raid with six planes taking part in it . Five of these , following a prac
tice which was now becoming more and more frequent , maneuvered over the more
heavily populated areas of the Island , dropping thousands of handbills in Chi
nese telling the populace of the pride and cruelty of their British rulers ,
who were , these documents alleged , sacrificing the Chinese community to main
tain a futile defense . As was usual when enemy planes were overhead , the anti
aircraft fire was continuious , and was credited with driving the raiders away .
Monday ( the 15th of December ) saw both bombing and shelling again inten
sified , with eight air alerts , and continual artillery exchanges . Alone
Japanese plane was shot down in Stanley Bay , and another was believed to have
been winged . Two vessels could be seen burning in Kowloon Bay , set afire by
British batteries . All of the steam launches , ferries , and other steam or motor
craft that had been moored on the Hong Kong side were scuttled .
A communique issued at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning stated that the night
had been quiet , with no change in the position ; one at two- thirty in the after
noon repeated the assertion that there had been no change ; while that issued in
the evening reported :
" There has been a sharp artillery duel with the enemy through
out the day , with our guns maintaining their ascendancy . We succeed
ed in silencing two of the enemy's gun positions this morning , and
another one this afternoon . Our batteries suffered no damage . "
- 8 -
There had been four air raids in the morning and three in the afternoon ,
in the course of which the city had been bombed and pamphlets had again been
dropped . of the artillery action it was said , with literal truth , that there
was a continual stream of shells overhead .
Wednesday morning it was even worse : Hong Kong was experiencing perhaps
the worst bombing and shelling that she had received , or was to receive , through
out the war . The objectives appeared to lie , for the first time , in the con
gested business districts in the center of the town . A simultaneous bombard
ment was carried out . The Hong Kong Hotel , the Gloucester Hotel , and the Hong
Kong Shanghai Bank Building were all struck , although the damage done was
relatively slight and the casualties were reported to have been light . The
clock on the Gloucester Tower , which had kept accurate time through all pre
vious bombardments , was evidently strafed by a dive bomber and stopped dead .
b. The Situation of the Besieged .At the beginning of the second week of
the war , the Controller of Land Transport issued a notice ( in the " Gazette
Extraordinary " ) stopping all private motoring , and limiting the sale of petrol
to certain designated pumps , where officers of the Transport Service checked on
all persons desiring to buy it . Nearly all of the privately-owned cars and
trucks in the Colony had been requisitioned much earlier in the conflict ; but
this order stopped what remained of private traffic . The busses had been re
quisitioned , and the tram service , which for days had run only from dawn to
dusk , was now indefinitely suspended .
Shop fronts throughout the business district were boarded over by their
proprietors , such business as was done being , with a few exceptions , carried
on through little peep holes or half-sized doors in the boarding . Everywhere
glass store fronts and window panes were criss-crossed with pasted slips of
paper , to prevent them from shattering with the constant reverberations of
shell fire and the continual thudding of exploding bombs or shells .
The streets were sprayed with rubble of plaster and bricks , and were in
some places piled so high with debris as to be impassable . Many houses and
buildings , particularly those of the older type of construction , were pulver
ized . The unremitting shelling made whole blocks uninhabitable even in areas
where the actual damage was relatively lighter . As the hostilities progressed ,
more and more of the Mid-level and Peak dwellings were literally blown off the
side of the hill among them the residence of the American Consul General ,
whose home was totally wrecked .
The effects of the bombing and shelling greatly increased the congestion
which the presence of a large refugee population had caused . Their influx in
the years between 1937 and 1941 had more than doubled the number of people
living in the Colony , and many of them even before the war had slept on the
streets . Now the problems of public sanitation , as well as those involved in
the maintenance of order , were many times multiplied . The regular collection
of garbage had to be suspended , and the public was being urged to burn or bury
their own refuse . The system of night-soil collection was breaking down , and
on Tuesday , December 16 , running water was turned off all over the city except
between the hours of six and nine in the morning and 3:30 to 6:30 in the after
- 9
noon . Later on in the week the supply to large areas was cut off altogether ,
and some shift had to be made with what water could be gotten from long-unused
wells which were now reopened .
Well over a hundred thousand people were being fed daily at the communal
kitchens opened and run by the Office of the Food Controller . They would begin
each day to queue up at dawn , and wait patiently for their turns . There
were queues also at such of the rice shops as had been prevailed upon to open ,
and at most of the other stores that sold essential provisions . At the better
class stores it was the practice to admit only a few customers at a time , allow
ing the line to wait outside . The Medical and Sanitary Controller stated on
Monday that he was making every effort to procure the reopening of at least a
minimum number of chemist shops , to permit the public to obtain essential drugs .
Because handbills dropped from Japanese planes had said that when the city
was captured Hong Kong notes in demoninations higher than $10 would not be
accepted , the poorer Chinese began hoarding small paper notes and coins until
both had almost disappeared from circulation , the consequent shortage being
partially supplied by a large issuance of $5.00 Chinese National Currency
notes , over-printed as Hong Kong $1.00 bills .
The arcades of the Gloucester and Hong Kong Hotels and of other large
buildings in the business area were crowded with families of Chinese refugees
living and sleeping in them for such protection as they were believed to afford
against the bombing and shelling . There were unnumbered thousands living day
and night in the many air - raid tunnels throughout the city .
To this situation of siege , as grim as it was the populace as a whole
adjusted itself rapidly , and the Civil Defense Services , covering air raid pre
cautions , first-aid ,, food , transport , fire control , etc. , seemed capable of
continuing their functions indefinitely . Many of the most active in these were
Chinese or Eurasians , and the Chinese community seemed unified behind the Gov
ernment's efforts to maintain resistance . To these people a message from Prime
Minister Churchill , published on Tuesday the sixteenth , and telling them :
" We are all watching day by day and hour by hour your stubborn defense of Hong
Kong .. All our hearts are with you in your ordeal ... Every day of your re
sistance brings near our certain victory , " did not come amiss .
C. The Fear of a Fifth Column . But there was growing evidence throughout
this period that an attitude of disaffection discernible in a small minority of
the Chinese was tending to dissipate the Government's own faith in the loyalty
of the rank and file of the people whom it was attempting to defend . The
authorities had always feared the existence of a strong " Fifth Column " in
Hong Kong , and after the withdrawal from the mainland they evidently found
themselves confronted with what they apprehended to be widespread defections
among the Chinese populace . A sign of this apprehension was the issuance , pre
sumably at the instance of the Government , of a statement by Admiral Chan Chak ,
the leading Chinese citizen in Hong Kong , appealing to the Chinese residents
there to assist the Government in every way possible and to keep close watch
on the treacherous conduct of unruly elements . The Admiral also paid tribute
to the British defenders , and asserted that the Chinese armies were advancing
to effect a junction with them . A second such appeal , issued by the represen
10 -
tative of Overseas Chinese in Hong Kong , was published in the Chinese press on
the following Tuesday , urging them to " put forth their strength to preserve
order with the object of defeating the enemy . "
Over the weekend of the thirteenth and fourteenth numerous arrests were
made , and on the afternoon of Monday , the fifteenth , one of the leading Can
tonese merchants in Hong Kong , one CHAN Lim - pak , renowned as a reactionary and
reputed to have extensive underworld connections , was taken into custody , charg
ed with working contrary to the interests of the Government . An unsubstantiated
rumor ran through the Colony at this arrest , giving it a thrill of horror :
Chan was the head of an organization of some 30,000 Wang Ching -wei " fifth col
umnists " ; they had procured further recruits among the disaffected Chinese in
Hong Kong , and had worked out detailed arrangements for seizing the city while
its garrison was engaged by the Japanese . The plot ( the rumor ran ) had been
discovered just in time and had been frustrated by the large Chinese " Blueshirt "
organization in Hong Kong which remained loyal to General Chiang Kai-shek . This
story , and many others like it , pictured two different groups of Chinese gang
sters as struggling for the police control of Hong Kong . It is perhaps not to
be wondered at that the reaction of some among those of the foreign residents in
the Colony who credited these stories was that they would almost rather see the
Island surrendered to the Japanese than either to lose control of it to one
gang or to continue in control through the support of the other .
Further color was lent to these fears by reports that the protection " rack
et , " which had been faring so well in Kowloon since the previous Thursday and
Friday , had begun to flourish in Hong Kong under the very noses of the author
ities . Merchants in the Central District , for instance , were many of them ap
proached with promises of protection on the payment of certain fees ; articles
in the press printed at the behest of the authorities urged them to turn down
all such propositions .
As of Monday a strict curfew was imposed , with the avowed purpose of curb
ing what was felt to be the growing lawlessness , and only persons bearing valid
defense passes were permitted on the streets between 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
A complete blackout had been imposed since the beginning of the hostilities and
it was hoped that the curfew would simplify police functions during the hours
of darkness .
On the following day ( Tuesday , the sixteenth of December ) , a further police
measure , calculated to simplify the search for arms on the persons of suspects ,
was taken : the Chinese were warned not to go about the streets with their
hands in their pockets , nor -- when they were wearing Chinese clothes to put
them in the backs of their gowns ; they were to walk with their hands at their
sides . It was found necessary also to issue repeated warnings against harmful
talk and the spreading of idle rumors , on the threat of serious penalties . The
recruiting of Chinese into the essential services virtually stopped , although
many continued to volunteer .
d. The Second Peace Offer . Perhaps as a propaganda effort calculated
further to weaken that defense , or because they felt that their " air - blitz " of
the morning might have taken effect , a second Japanese peace mission , of the
same composition as the first but with the addition of a naval officer , came
- 11 -
over to Hong Kong from Kowloon in the forenoon of Wednesday ( December 17th ) to
deliver a letter to the Governor . They returned again at 2:30 p.m. to receive
his answer . * A Government communique described the mission as follows :
" The Governor has today received a letter from the Japanese Mili
tary and Naval authorities repeating the suggestion that he should
enter into negotiations with them for the surrender of Hong Kong .
" In his reply His Excellency has declined absolutely to enter
into any negotiations , and has notified the Japanese authorities that
he is not prepared to receive any further communications from them on
the subject . "
On the following day , Thursday , the Governor was informed telegraphically
by the British Government that :
" The stirring conduct of all defenders of the fortress is being
watched with admiration and confidence by the whole Empire and by our
Allies throughout the world . Hold on ! "
to which His Excellency replied , " We are going to hold on ! "
3. The Last Phase : Fighting on the Island
a. Landing at North Point. In the situation in which he found himself
the Governor could have made no other reply , and there is no doubt but that all
his instincts and training committed him to resistance to the end , but this
first act of the longer drama was to close differently than he may have hoped .
On Thursday evening , taking advantage of a natural smoke-screen laid across the
tip of North Point ( the east end of the residential district on the northern
side of Hong Kong Island , and the point closest to Kowloon ) by the burning of
an installation there after it had been shelled -- and which protected them
from observation or fire from the landward artillery to the south the Japan
ese began to land in that area . Their operations were almost uniterrupted and
continued in broad daylight through Friday morning , it being subsequently ex
plained that none of the Island's gun emplacements were so constructed as to
permit of artillery being brought to bear on the fairly constant stream of
boats with which the Japanese were ferrying over the forces with which they
were to take the Island . Landings were also made at Taikoo , and possibly simul
taneously at other points .
b. The Time to Advance . Appealing to His Majesty's forces to meet this
new threat , the Governor told them : " The time has come to advance against the
enemy : Be strong , be resolute , and do your duty ! " But the Japanese forces
kept cuming on , and by Saturday had captured and lost and then captured again
the vitally strategic Wongneichong Gap , the key to the defenses of the Island .
Landings at other places had evidently made possible a wide infiltration of
Japanese sharpshooters and advance squads throughout the whole eastern end of
the Island .
* One of the junior members of the Japanese party , a Lieutenant , is quoted as having on this
second trip asked a newspaper reporter , " Don't you think ours is a very civilized war ? "
12
An officer of the Government charged with liaison with the American Con
sulate General stated on Sunday that there was no hope , with the forces avail
able , of clearing the Island , nor could relief from Chinese forces on the main
land possibly arrive before the first week in January . But there still seemed
to be a chance , and the defenders had the day previously released an encourag
ing communique :
" Operations have been proceeding satisfactorily today . Parties
of the enemy have been mopped up in the Repulse Bay area and our
troops have pushed the enemy back across Happy Valley .
" A message has been received from General Yu Hanmou from which
it appears that his forces are now within a very short distance of
Hong Kong and the relief of the Garrison can be expected in the near
future . "
Reference was also made to the appearance of three bombers and six fighter
escorts which had been observed dive-bombing the Japanese positions in Kowloon .
These were generally believed to be planes of the Chinese armies coming to the
Colony's relief .
Sunday's communique reported that the lines were being held with difficulty ,
and that the enemy was attempting to reinforce his positions on the south of
the Island . During the bitter and decisive fighting of the next three days the
communiques continued laconic .
A relatively successful effort was also being made in the problem of antic
ipating and forestalling any action by " fifth columnists " : an officer of the
Chinese armies , holding the rank of Brigadier General , stated on December 23 that
he had been charged with acting as liaison officer with the numerous members
of China's largest secret society resident in Hong Kong , and the Government was
paying him $50,000 a day for distribution among them . A corps of six
hundred of them had been formed to go into the North Point sector with small
arms and hand grenades , and negotiations were in progress with the British
military authorities to procure the necessary permission to arm them .
C. Christmas Eve . The communique of December 24 read :
" There has been no further Japanese advance since the last communi
que . The slight enemy penetration in the direction of Mt. Cameron
is being firmly held . Our lines remain intact . "
Suddenly , and for no perceptible reason , a wave of optimism surged through
the city's populace : the Chinese troops , it was said , had already engaged the
Japanese rear in the New Territories , and the defenders of the Island had sur
rounded the main part of the Japanese forces on Mt. Cameron , and were proceed
ing to destroy them . People went about what little Christmas shopping they had
to do in an almost festive spirit .
here
The Japanese propaganda caption , printed beside this picture, read :
NVICTORS ENTER COLONY "
The British defenders of Hong Kong Island could not for long with
stand the heavy pressure exerted by the ever victorious troops of
Japan , and their collapse came suddenly with the fall of the Colony.
Throughout the operations, the Japanese Command paid special care to
civilian lives and property , and took the greatest precautions to
ensure that no harm shall befall the population . Great was the
population's relief and happiness when the victorious Japanese
C
troops entered the city . Lt. -General Takashi Sakai , Supreme
Commander - in - Chief of the Japanese forces in South China, is seen
taking the salute in the photo on the left . "
HONG KONG NEWS , January 14 , 1942 .
13 .
C. The Surrender .
The Decision . On the morning of December 25 , Christmas Day , the Governor
issued his last message to his people : it urged them to have faith in the
Colony's defenders , and said that there was no reason why Hong Kong could not
be held indefinitely .
Meanwhile the base was again crumbling away from beneath this high wall of
courageous intent . The Canadian forces which had been defending the Mt. Cameron
sector had been driven from it , and at about noon on that same Christmas Day the
decision was taken to surrender . It is stated to have been communicated to the
Japanese at 2:30 that afternoon , the surrender taking effect at 4:00 . Sir Mark
Young was required to proceed across the Harbor to the Peninsula Hotel in Kow
loon , where formal capitulation of the Colony was accepted on December26 .
The Japanese Army entered the city at dawn on the following day .
[ 14 -
II . THE PERIOD OF LOOTING
For the first day and a half following the sudden denouement in the drama
of the " Fortress , " the whole colony lay in a state of dazed and quiescent ex
pectancy . The city itself was still unoccupied , such Japanese troops as were
in evidence having moved in quite gradually . This lull continued until the full
force of the conquering army entered the city on the morning of the 27th .
The phase which then opened was more than anything else a period of loot
ing
A. The Conqueror's Cut .
1. Out Shipments . The pillaging was inaugurated by the military authori
ties themselves , and it is rare in the annals of warfare that a territory as
small as Hong Kong should offer such immense loot . As has been indicated , the
Colony was literally a storehouse of provisions and materials of every sort .
Not only had the Government forehandedly built up stocks of essential commodi
ties in preparation for resistance to a siege of from four to six months , but
the shortage of shipping which had become acute in the summer of 1941 had
brought about an accumulation of stock - piles in the city's godowns that repre
sented in some commodities at least a supply sufficient for the Colony for from
two to three years . It had been possible to destroy only a small part of these
supplies , and the Japanese authorities were employed for days in locating the
balance of them , assembling them , and getting them aboard the ships which were
brought into Hong Kong harbor to take them away , presumably to Japan .
All of the automobiles in Hong Kong were collected , most of them being
placed either on the Race Course or the Cricket Field , where they stood for
weeks before they were finally removed . A few of them were retained intact in
the Colony ; some were stripped down to procure the engines and parts , but by
far the greatest number of them were eventually shipped out . Quantities of
metal and scrap were removed , and some of the industrial plants were stripped
of their machinery . The major part of these activities had been concluded in
the first ten days of the occupation , but occasional removals of valuable lots
of scrap and other things by the Japanese continued through the period for which
information is available , all of this booty apparently going directly to Japan .
2. Sealed Stocks and Premises . A second action of the Japanese authori
ties , which in its effects represented an extension of the looting , was the
wholesale sealing of stocks that were not to be immediately removed , and of
premises which either had not yet been looted or which appeared to the authori
ties to be desirable localities for their offices or businesses . The sealing
consisted simply in pasting big Japanese seals , which it would be an offense
against martial law for any unauthorized person to break , over the doors of the
godowns or premises affected . In this operation the Army and Navy were vigorous
rivals one of the other , and to some Chinese it seemed that the two branches of
the Japanese armed services were each rushing about trying to snatch as much of
the booty from the other as it could . The result of this competitive spirit
was that in a very short time all stocks which had not been moved to Japan and
all useful premises in the business sections of Hong Kong , as well as the better
class private residences , were sealed .
13 .
C. The Surrender .
The Decision . On the morning of December 25 , Christmas Day , the Governor
issued his last message to his people : it urged them to have faith in the
Colony's defenders , and said that there was no reason why Hong Kong could not
be held indefinitely .
Meanwhile the base was again crumbling away from beneath this high wall of
courageous intent . The Canadian forces which had been defending the Mt. Cameron
sector had been driven from it , and at about noon on that same Christmas Day the
decision was taken to surrender . It is stated to have been communicated to the
Japanese at 2:30 that afternoon , the surrender taking effect at 4:00 . Sir Mark
Young was required to proceed across the Harbor to the Peninsula Hotel in Kow
loon , where formal capitulation of the Colony was accepted on December26 .
The Japanese Army entered the city at dawn on the following day .
14 -
II . THE PERIOD OF LOOTING
For the first day and a half following the sudden denouement in the drama
of the " Fortress, " the whole colony lay in a state of dazed and quiescent ex
pectancy . The city itself was still unoccupied , such Japanese troops as were
in evidence having moved in quite gradually . This lull continued until the full
force of the conquering army entered the city on the morning of the 27th .
The phase which then opened was more than anything else a period of loot
ing
A. The Conqueror's Cut.
1. The pillaging was inaugurated by the military authori
Out Shipments .
ties themselves , and it is rare in the annals of warfare that a territory as
small as Hong Kong should offer such immense loot . As has been indicated , the
Colony was literally a storehouse of provisions and materials of every sort .
Not only had the Government forehandedly built up stocks of essential commodi
ties in preparation for resistance to a siege of from four to six months , but
the shortage of shipping which had become acute in the summer of 1941 had
brought about an accumulation of stock - piles in the city's godowns that repre
sented in some commodities at least a supply sufficient for the Colony for from
two to three years . It had been possible to destroy only a small part of these
supplies , and the Japanese authorities were employed for days in locating the
balance of them , assembling them , and getting them aboard the ships which were
brought into Hong Kong harbor to take them away , presumably to Japan .
All of the automobiles in Hong Kong were collected , most of them being
placed either on the Race Course or the Cricket Field , where they stood for
weeks before they were finally removed . A few of them were retained intact in
the Colony ; some were stripped down to procure the engines and parts , but by
far the greatest number of them were eventually shipped out . Quantities of
metal and scrap were removed , and some of the industrial plants were stripped
of their machinery . The major part of these activities had been concluded in
the first ten days of the occupation , but occasional removals of valuable lots
of scrap and other things by the Japanese continued through the period for which
information is available , all of this booty apparently going directly to Japan .
2. Sealed Stocks and Premises . A second action of the Japanese authori
ties , which in its effects represented an extension of the looting , was the
wholesale sealing of stocks that were not to be immediately removed , and of
premises which either had not yet been looted or which appeared to the authori
ties to be desirable localities for their offices or businesses . The sealing
consisted simply in pasting big Japanese seals , which it would be an offense
against martial law for any unauthorized person to break , over the doors of the
godowns or premises affected . In this operation the Army and Navy were vigorous
rivals one of the other , and to some Chinese it seemed that the two branches of
the Japanese armed services were each rushing about trying to snatch as much of
the booty from the other as it could . The result of this competitive spirit
was that in a very short time all stocks which had not been moved to Japan and
all useful premises in the business sections of Hong Kong , as well as the better
class private residences , were sealed .
- 15 -
B. Individual Enterprise .
1. Japanese Perhaps the most picturesque phase of this period of loot
ing grew out rather of individual initiative than of the collective activities
of the Japanese Army and Navy ; for weeks following their entry into Hong Kong ,
every individual Japanese soldier seemed to be trying to outdo every other in
looting , the most desired objects evidently being wrist watches and fountain
pens . They appeared to be almost as much interested in wrist watches as they
were in rape , and many a sturdy private marched proudly about the streets of
Hong Kong in the first days of the occupation with his left arm covered from
wrist to elbow with one watch after another . The process of collecting these
was the simple one of sticking a gun or a bayonet into anyone they could find ,
in or out of doors , and pointing to their victim's left wrist to indicate what
they wanted . Fountain pens were next in the order of preciousness and were
collected by much the same means . The childishness * which marked these relative
ly minor depredations would have been amusing had there not been so many evi
dences of other much more vicious activities on the part of the same soldiery .
Of course , these looting activities spread into much wider fields , and for
weeks the Chinese found it necessary to make a present of practically anything
any Japanese wanted, rather than risk the consequences of irritating him by
haggling over prices .
2. Chinese . The Chinese themselves , however , did not miss the opportunity
which this period of anarchy afforded , although from an objective standpoint
they perhaps had a far greater justification , the collapse of the ordinary life
of the community having left them in many cases without food or fuel or money
to buy either . Hundreds of the poorest Chinese swarmed over the higher levels of
the hillside facing the harbor , where most of the better residences had been ,
and onto the Peak itself , looting everything that they could put their hands on .
Many of these homes had suffered from the shelling , and the billeting system
enforced by the British during the abortive defense of the Island had in almost
every case removed the original tenants from them , so that they were in many
cases fully furnished and vacant , open to anyone who passed on the road . All
the most valuable objets d'arts , the higher priced radios , the other objects of
easily recognizable value would already have been carted away by the Japanese ,
but the Chinese looters found plenty in what was left . Toward the end , when
all the furniture had been broken up and every thing portable removed , the
tearing down of wood work and fixtures began . In one house on May Road , for
instance , after it had been completely stripped of moveable property , the loot
ers tore out all the window frames on the second story , took up the floors , tore
down all the panelling , and then backed down stairs , step by step , tearing up
the stairway after them as they went , taking it out completely . They then pro
ceeded on the first floor as they had on the second .
* One foreigner , who happened to be Swiss and who therefore was supposed by the Japanese to
be necessarily an expert on watches , was approached by various Japanese soldiers , who asked ,
with their rifles on him , that he evaluate such and such a watch or tell them why it wouldn't
run . More than once the writer has seen two of these mental ten-year- olds meeting on the
street , each with his shirt-sleeve pulled back to his shoulder to show the other the extent
and variety of his collection .
16 -
It was natural that the Japanese should resent this competition , and it was
not an uncommon sight to see a Japanese gendarme or guard taking pot-shots at
Chinese in the act of looting some house or other on the side of the hill .
In other cases the looters were arrested and executed ( after the Japanese had
impounded their booty ) , but , generally speaking , this phase of the looting con
tinued until its resources were exhausted .
3. Foreign . Some of the foreigners in Hong Kong , that is to say , the
British , American , and other " European " nationals , who themselves were in the
main the chief victims of this orgy of looting , did a little looting on their
own . The head butcher of the Dairy Farm , a British subject married to a Chin
ese and long a resident of Hong Kong , is said to have " turned over" to the
Japanese , and to have become one of the leading spirits in the Japanese Inves
tigation Corps , where his brutality and dishonesty have been described as being
remarkable even in the group with which he was working . He is reported , for
instance , to have taken over all the property in two of the best apartment
houses * on May Road . He is also rumored to have been interested in diamonds
and precious stones of which he is said now to have a considerable collection .
There were several other notable examples of European looting , and at least one
group of interned American nationals were forced to loot , at considerable per
sonal risk , to acquire some of the articles absolutely essential to their well
being . **
C. Flower Girls .The Japanese soldiery did not stop at looting . On the
night of the assault on the Island , when the official assurances of the Colonial
Government had left the whole residential area in western Wanchai unaware of the
closeness of its danger , home after home was surprised by squads of the toughest
Jap soldiers in the first wave of the landing party , who made no ceremony of
shooting the men and raping the women . In one well-authenticated case , a
European and his daughters were at dinner together , with no intimation that
anything was amiss , when suddenly a squad of Japanese burst into the room ,
ordering the father out onto the lawn of the house , where they bound him and
left him to listen to his daughters ' screams . The girls they took down to the
basement , and each man of the squad is said to have raped each of them . This
was just a starter : It is certainly not the only incident in which , in the
days and weeks that followed , white women were brutally raped .
Their officers had evidently cautioned the Japanese soldiery against the
bad effects of the wholesale raping of Chinese women , because they had all
learned the Cantonese " Fa Ku Niang" - " Flower Girls , " a euphemism for prosti
tutes . Breaking into Chinese homes in the middle of the night , and yelling
their savage orders in Japanese , that single expression was usually the only
one that was intelligible to the frightened householders : the soldiers them
selves quickly reduced its use to a more formality , on the assumption that every
* These reports have come to the writer's attention because the individual in question is
alleged to have taken over the apartment which had been the writer's , and where a consider
able quantity of the latter's property had been stored . RSW .
** It was necessary , for instance , for consular internees to go out and search for and take
the water filters that afforded them the only protection they had against the very polluted
water supply which was all that was available to them . These and other necessary articles
were not supplied to them by the Japanese and they had no alternative but to take them,
risking being shot by their guards the while .
- 17
woman they saw and wanted was a " Flower Girl " anyway . Women so used had no agency
to which to report the fact , and usually they did their best to hide it . But
there were too many detailed and factual stories for all of them to be false ;
and in one instance that was reported to the writer on good authority and that
may be taken as typical, a Chinese woman of good family was raped three times in
one night , her last attacker leaving a ten yen note in her hand . In another , a
large number of women were herded in one room , and despatched one by one into
another room , where squads of Japanese soldiers "worked over" them .
Later on a penalty of three months imprisonment under military law was laid
down by the Japanese for soldiers against whom charges of rape could be proved
to the satisfaction of their superiors , and there seems to have been some desire
on the part of the authorities to lessen the evil , if not to eliminate it . There
are , however , fairly well-authenticated cases as late as the latter part of
August 1942 * .
D. Chinese Reaction . It seems obvious now that Hong Kong was subjected to
this unnecessarily prolonged period of anarchy as a primary " technique of con
trol " to force the Chinese population to a realization of their position , of the
fact that they would have to accept Japanese domination , and their leaders would
have to cooperate with the Japanese to maintain even the most basic essentials
of livelihood . The looting and rape had been only phases of the situation in
which the Chinese found themselves : the wholesale flight of the more well-to-do
left the community without shops or commercial services , and even those who re
mained could do no business because their stores had been sealed and their stocks
confiscated . Doctors , dentists , and other professional men disappeared . Leaders
of integrity who had served under the Governments of Hong Kong or China faded
into the masses , and many of them managed to slip away . Food was very difficult
to procure ; only small denominations of the Hong Kong notes were of any known
value , and those had largely vanished as the result of hoarding .
All of these things had come about in a very brief period . The facts were
at first too hard for the public to face : not three hours after the surrender
the city was alive with the most extravagant rumors and reports . Typical of
these was the widely accepted assertion that a Mr. Gimson , the former British
Colonial Secretary , was to be appointed Governor by the Japanese , who were to
maintain British authority on the Island just as it has been prior to the
fall . Other rumors were that Italy had laid down her arms and was suing Bri
tain for peace ; that Finland had negotiated a separate peace ; that Marshall
Petain had committed suicide ; that there had been a revolution in France against
the Nazi regime ; and so on , ad infinitum . These fantasies were the last projec
tions of faith in a superiority which had never really existed , and when they
* Although it must also be noted that a Chinese who left Hong Kong in the fall of 1942 re
ports that at that time the once dreaded appellation " Flower Girl , " had come to be more com
monly used by the Japanese soldiers as a somewhat sheepish form of approach to Chinese girls
rather than as a signal that they were about to rape them . It is said too that by that time
some of the more attractive of the younger Chinese women had " accepted " the " protection " of
particular Japanese men , preferring that form of servitude to the continual risk of rape and
consequent disease .
18 -
too burst like bubbles , there was the sharpest reaction . *
Among the Chinese this reaction was naturally the most sweeping where there
had been the most complete reliance upon British protection , but no literate
Chinese escaped it . Perhaps the best expression of this feeling appeared in a
very bitter editorial published in the Japanese controlled HONG KONG NEWS of
January 14 ( 1942 ) which said , inter alia :
" Today the British and Americans have a much greater respect for
the Oriental soldier for in Hong Kong , Malaya , and the Philippines
the outcome has been the same : the vaunted supermen of the white race
have melted like butter ....
" In eighteen days of conflict it was all over -- a horrible muddle
of inefficiency and helplessness which has bequeathed a miserable
aftermath ." **
This widespread feeling of betrayal and disgust was to be very cleverly ex
ploited by the Japanese in their efforts to enlist Chinese cooperation in the
control of Hong Kong .
Meanwhile , the first concrete evidence that the Chinese community had had
enough of anarchy and would welcome almost any alternative was afforded the
Japanese in a long petition drawn up on December 31 by the Executive Committee
of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce , comprising nineteen of its members
under the Chairmanship of TUNG Chung-wei . The petition , which was early brought
to the attention of the Japanese military but was not formally presented until
January 10 , covered nine essential services in which the disruption of supplies
gravely endangered the community : food , fuel , water , electricity , telephones ,
public safety , currency , communications , and prostitution ; the last was regarded
by the city fathers as one of the most important , since as long as the regular
brothels remained closed , just so long would Japan's soldiery demand the serv
ices of family women as their " Flower Girls . "
* A curious reflection of the inability of many Hong Kong people to understand the full im
plications of their situation appears in a letter dated the 28th of December , 1941 , written
by this same Mr. Gimson to one Colonel Ckada of the Japanese Military Headquarters in Hong
Kong ( See Enclosure No. 2 ) . It will be noted that in this document Mr. Gimson , who signs
himself as the " Colonial Secretary, Governor's Representative , " refers to one Mr. Gibson ,
whom he states is the " Petrol Controller, " and says of him that " (he ) is in charge of the
petrol supplies of the Island , and could be of considerable assistance to you in arranging
for the distribution and arrangement of these supplies when necessary , " and adds in a second
paragraph , " Any results reached as a result of this discussion will be , as usual , subject to
my approval , ' Even if it represented an effort to comply with the terms of capitulation , it
is still a strangely worded document : it brings forward into the present tense things which
had ceased to be true three days before , and ignores events which , however recently they
might have transpired , were already as much a part of history as was the death of Nelson .
It is in all honor that Mr. Gibson's name appears here : he labored with real heroism in
every place and circumstance to aid the British and American communities , seeing things more
clearly than most .
** Almost certainly the work of a very intelligent Eurasian who wrote for one of the leading
Hong Kong papers before the war , this editorial is believed to be an authentic reflection of
the thinking of many Hong Kong Chinese after the Colony's capture , although it was obviously
published for propaganda purposes . It's whole text is given in Enclosure No. 4 to this report .
- 19 -
III . THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLS .
As we have seen , the shock and confusion of the period affected every as
pect of Hong Kong's life , paralyzing the social organization of the city . * When ,
with the passage of time , it became clear to the Japanese that they could count
upon at least a minimum of Chinese cooperation , they began to attempt the restor
ation of order , at the same time seeking the revival of the separate phases of
,
the community's existence , imposing upon each the forms of control which they
felt were most likely to bind it to their purposes .
This process proceeded unevenly , being in some instances undertaken immed
iately , and in others only after weeks or months . Therefore , in examining the
development of these controls , we will consider one by one the phases of organ
ization to which they were applied , reaching back where necessary to the date of
the city's fall .
A. Administrative Organization . It was the stated intention of the Japan
ese military upon their occupation of Hong Kong to govern it as a captured
fortress under military_bureaus , and although most observers were agreed that
they proved much less efficient as administrators than they had been as an army
in the field they never swerved from that simple program .
1. Martial Law . In line with this purpose the first act of the Commander
in-Chief of the invading army was to issue on the day of the fall of Hong Kong
a proclamation placing the Colony under martial law . ** This proclamation asser
ted for the military governor the broadest power and made any action or rebel
lion against the Imperial Army, any act of espionage , or " any action which
would endanger the safety of the members of the Imperial Army or cause any
obstruction to military movement , " crimes against martial law and punishable
under it , the sentences enumerated being death , imprisonment , banishment , fines ,
and confiscation . It gave so broad a list of the articles which might be con
fiscated in connection with the commission of an offense against this law as
to make it possible for the military to take over any or all of the alleged
offender's property .
In effect , the proclamation served simply to give some semblance of legal
ity to any action which the Japanese military wanted to take against anyone
under their control . It was published regularly in the Japanese-controlled
English language newspaper and in the Chinese press for the first two weeks of
the occupation ; but it served only to give public notice of the situation of
which every resident of Hong Kong was already being made well aware , that is ,
that the military intended to do exactly as they pleased . Except as it served
--
to assure the security of the forces of occupation its primary purpose --
and to intimidate to some extent the criminal fringe of the Chinese population ,
it probably only added to the anarchy which existed .
* But death notices continued to appear ; mothers kept on having children, although the lack
of proper medical care made the risk both to the new life and the old a horrible one ; and
every day the papers carried advertisements of the intention to wed , inserted by couples who
could not wait for the reopening of the office of the Registrar of Marriages .
** See Enclosure No. 5 , " Proclamation of the Commander- in-Chief of the Army of Great Nippon . "
20
2. Civil Administration Department Established . On the 2nd of January,
1942 , there was announced the establishment of the first regular governmental
organization for the administration of the civil population of Hong Kong . It
was called the " Civil Department of the Japanese Army" ( later the " Civil Admin
istration Department " * ) . Major General Yazaki , a ranking officer of the occupy
ing army , was nominated its chief . Its office was established in the Hong Kong
Shanghai Bank ; the first press report describing it stated that other officers
had been deputed to function on its staff , and that it had opened on January
1. Some of the subordinate officers of the department were civilians and the
clerical staff appears to have been largely Chinese . A Hong Kong Bureau of the
Department ( i.e. , for Hong Kong Island ) was subsequently opened under a civilian
Japanese , one Mr. Sometani .
In the Department's first notice , issued on the day of its establishment ,
it declared :
" The Japanese Army seized Hong Kong with the object of sweeping
out British and American influence from the Far East and establishing
a New Order in East Asia , freeing the races of East Asia . The Jap
anese Army assumes responsibility for the protection of the lives and
property of the Chinese people and they must resume their businesses ,
fearlessly placing their confidence in the Japanese Army .
" With the object of protecting the Chinese people , the Japanese
Army has established an office in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
Building , first floor , Queen's Road , for dealing with the civil affairs .
All Chinese dwelling in Hong Kong must rely on the Japanese army and
aid the above office to pacify the people and make Hong Kong flourish .
The above office sets its hopes on this . **
A second notice issued at the same time stated that the Hong Kong Govern
ment was now under the protection of the Japanese Army and that , with the excep
tion of British officials , all of those formerly serving in the Government ought
to resume their functions as soon as possible ; that they should not transgress
the law nor act in a disorderly manner ; that if they were caught doing so , no
leniency would be shown them . All labor and shops were instructed to resume
business as soon as possible , and not to " act contrary to law " or " else they
will be dealt with . "
A third notice informed the people of Hong Kong that with a view to restor
ing conditions in the Colony , the Japanese Army was doing it's utmost to repair
the water , electrical and gas systems , but warned that " any persons found
wasting water will be dealt with according to Japanese Army law without any
leniency . " ***
* Paralleling the " Military Administration Department" ( or " Office " ) in military affairs .
** See Enclosure No. 5 , " Assurance to Population , " for the complete text of the notice ,
which appeared in the Japanese- controlled HONG KONG NEWS of January 2 , 1942 .
*** See Enclosure No. 7 , " Chinese Civil Servants , " and No. 8 , " Water Supply Notice , " both
published January 2 ( as of January 1 ) 1942 , by direction of the Civil ( Administration ) De
partment of the Japanese Army .
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• 21 -
3. Efforts to Procure Chinese Cooperation . Although the Japanese counted
to no small extent on the inevitable Chinese reaction against the period of
anarchy to procure their cooperation in the Government of Hong Kong , they did
not limit themselves to such subtle methods . One of their first steps after
their entry into the Colony was to corral as quickly as possible all Chinese
leaders of the Hong Kong community who could be found , together with any Chinese
of national importance who happened to be caught there . These men were usually
taken to one or another of the large hotels -- although some of them were kept
incommunicado in their own homes and subjected to every sort of pressure and
every kind of appeal to enlist their " voluntary " support for the objectives of
Japan in Asia .
Two of them , Dr. W. W. Yen and Eugene Ch'en , both of whom had in the course
of their careers been foreign ministers in the Chinese Government , were held in
adjoining rooms of the Hong Kong Hotel . They were well fed and quite well
treated , but were not permitted to communicate with any one , not even with each
other , although they had been in former days political opponents . In the case
of these two men , however , the Japanese objectives went beyond the question of
Hong Kong's government ; it was reported via the " underground" that Yen was
offered the post of Foreign Minister in the Nanking regime , while another minis
terial post was to be given Ch'en . *
On January 10 , 1942 , 133 of the Chinese who had been recipients of these
attentions , and who were described in the Japanese-controlled press as " former
Chinese Justices of the Peace and other distinguished leaders representing all
sections of Chinese society " , were brought together at a luncheon held in the
largest ball room in the Peninsula Hotel , at which Lieutenant General Takashi
Sakai , the Commander - in - Chief of the Japanese Forces in South China , was their
host . He had commanded the army which had taken Hong Kong , and there were pres
ent with him many of his ranking subordinates .
In his speech ** to the assembled Chinese General Sakai stated that : ( 1 )
he had not been fighting the Chinese of Hong Kong , " for whom we have the deepest
sympathy" and whom he hoped would understand the "object of co - prosperity for
all the races of Great East Asia , " he had not used " artillery and large bombs
in order to avoid hurting the common people and damaging the city ; " ( 2 ) the
British Colonial Administration only planned for its own profit ; in the battle
it used Chinese Volunteers , Canadians , and Indians in the front line ; the
English soldiers " fear death and covet life ;" ( 3 ) the Chinese and the Japanese
are the same people and have the same literature and belong to the same "Greater
East Asian race ; " the many Chinese " in all the islands of South East Asia " also
were members of " our race , " and he hoped that his words might also be trans
mitted to them , so that they too might " join in the establishment of a Greater
East Asia ; " ( 4 ) he would spare no effort to make Hong Kong and Kowloon a place
" where people may reside in peace . " He asked his guests to form a local assist
ance committee to exert all their strength to help him .
* The Japanese House of Representatives is reported to have been informed on March 1 , 1943 ,
that both of these men " had agreed to cooperate with the Nanking Government . " They had both
been taken in the spring of 1942 to Shanghai , where they were doubtless subjected to further
pressure . Of W. W. Yen it is known that he persistently refused active participation in
Japanese schemes on the grounds that he had " retired from politics . "
** See Enclosure No. 3 for the complete text of the speech as well as of the replies of Sir
Robert Kotewall cnd Sir Shouson Chow .
- 22
The General then proceeded to a rough outline of his program for the " re
construction " of Hong Kong . The first item he listed was order : this was
the responsibility of the military authorities , but to avoid " inconvenience "
to the populace from the use of too many troops , the Chinese police were being
re-employed , and the people might organize their own self-protection guards
under the direction of the officials . *
The second important item which , he indicated , was to receive the atten
tion of the Military Government was the currency . Describing it as the " blood
of business , " he said that he had " appointed people to deal with the matter ; "
that there was a reason for the non-acceptance of higher notes ; that his guests ,
as the wealthy and influential element of the population , should " for the time
being tell all the people not to think of hurting other people or to spread
idle rumors . "
Of his third " item , " the relief of business , he expressed the hope that
his guests would " get together and help in settling the fuel and rice problems"
and that they would " devise methods for this , and apply to the Administration
for permission to carry them out . "
Return to employment was the fourth problem the General discussed . Of
it he said , " Labor and business have stopped now for many days . You should
help in advising all classes of people to return to their employment at an early
date . "
The fifth and last " item " was cleaning up the city . of this the General
told his guests that they should advise the people to start putting the places
where they lived in order , thus helping the authorities to deal more easily
with the problem of cleanliness .
The Honorable Sir Robert Kotewell , KT . , C. M. G. , LLD . , referred to in the
Japanese press account of the party as " Mr. Law Kuk -wo , " the undisputed
leader of the Chinese community in Hong Kong during the last years of Brit
ish rule , replied . " Japan and China have the same literature and are of the
same people , " he parroted , thanking the Japanese for having " avoided harming
the people of Hong Kong or destroying the city . " " We will , " he promised ,
" put out all our strength in Hong Kong to cooperate with the Japanese army
authorities . "
The Honorable Sir Shouson Chow , an aged and attractive Chinese who had
preceded Sir Robert Kotewell as the leader of the Chinese community , spoke
* It is probable that the lack of sufficient troops , rather than a desire to avoid their use ,
was the determining factor in these dispositions .
23
after Sir Robert , agreeing " heartily " with all " Mr. Law Kuk -wo" had said . *
4. Rehabilitation Committee Formed . On the following day , the 12th of
January , the Executive Committee of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce , comprising
19 leading members of the Chamber with one Mr. TUNG Chung-wei as Chairman , held
a meeting to " discuss ways and means of re-starting business in Hong Kong " and
to comply with General Sakai's request that they form a local " assistance com
mittee " to help him . It is probable that the group selected had already been
hand - picked , and that the General had assured himself that he would be able to
procure compliance with his request before he made it . In any case , the meet
ing of the 12th produced a Committee of Nine , which adopted the title of "Re
habilitation Committee" ( later changed to " Rehabilitation Advisory Committee" ) ,
and elected " Mr. Law Kuk -wo " as its Chairman and " Mr. Chow Shou - son " as its
Vice - Chairman . **
A second meeting of the Committee , stated to have lasted some three hours ,
was held the following morning , and on January 14 it was received by the Japan
ese military authorities at the Peninsula Hotel , where , according to the HONG
KONG NEWS , " they submitted their proposals for the immediate settlement of
several important problems , such as rice supply , opening of communications and
re-opening of business . " The discussion is stated to have been a long one , and
to have covered the whole field of Hong Kong's situation .
Indicating the Japanese intention to proceed further with the organiza
tion of the Chinese community , there appeared in the same press article which
reported the meeting of the Committee with the military , a notice requesting
all former Chinese Justices of the Peace who were present at General Sakai's
luncheon to register their business or profession with the Rehabilitation Com
mittee as soon as possible .
* See Enclosure No. 1 , " List of Persons Prominently Associated with the Japanese in Hong
Kong, " for brief " official" biographies of these two men . Whether as the result of deliberate
selection , or " faute de mieux, " the British colonial government employed as its instruments
men who were rarely highly regarded by the Chinese themselves , and who were in fact often
not Chinese . Sir Robert Kotewell is said to be a Parsee with Chinese , Portuguese , and
probably English blood ; Sir Robert Hotung, another of the men who received the patronage and
support of the British Colonial administration, wore Chinese clothes and married a Chinese ;.
by blood he was at most only half Chinese , and looked and seemed to be less than that . A
very wealthy man , he succeeded to his father's position as the head of Jardines , and gained
a knighthood .
Sir Shouson Chow , although relatively less effective , and less completely committed to
certain phases of the colonial administration , is of good Chinese blood and not a born
Quisling, in spite of the part he is now playing . During the period of his detention by the
Japanese his hair went completely white ; he is now a pathetic figure , and has attempted re
peatedly to communicate to the Chungking Government his entreaty that they withhold judge
ment on him . RSW
** The other members were : LO Man - Kam , LI Tse - fong , LI Koon - chun , TAM Nga-shi , LI Chung-po
TUNG Chung-wei , and WONG Tak-Kwong . On February 5 the membership of the Committee was raised
to twelve with the addition of ( Dr. ) WONG Tung-ming , KONG Tai- tung , and CHENG Tit-sing . See
Enclosure No. 1 for such additional information on these gentlemen as is available .
-- 24 -
-
5. Districts Demarcated . The next step in this direction was announced
on January 21 . As a result of " discussions" presumably between the Civil
Administration Department and the Rehabilitation Committee - it had been decided
to divide the Island of Hong Kong into twelve , and Kowloon into six , adminis ,
trative districts , each of which was to be placed under a District Bureau
headed by a ( Chinese ) " Official in Charge . " It was stated that these several
bureaus would " look after the general welfare of residents in their particular
areas , and also handle matters relating to public health , business , repatria
tion , and other matters of communal interest . " They were subsequently to con
cern themselves with the issuance of certificates to the thousands of Chinese
leaving daily for the interior of China ; with the employment of the labor force
to be used in the removal of garbage from the streets of their respective dis
tricts ; and with the formation of street guards to augment the available police
force in the maintenance of law and order , They also were later to assist in
the functioning of the rice ration system . *
On January 27 , 1942 , Major General Yazaki , the Chief of the Civil Adminis
tration Department ( and presumably the officer who had superintended the crea
tion of the districts and the appointment of the " officials in charge " ) called
all of the latter together and harangued them . The object of Japan in fighting
this war was , he told them , ** to free the Asiatic races from oppression and to
drive out the evil influence of the white people . *** Victory for Japan was
certain , he averred , and at the end of the war Japan and China would cooperate
with each other to bring a new era of prosperity for Greater East Asia . Of
Hong Kong he said that steps for its rehabilitation were now under considera
tion , including the question of the re-opening of banks , revival of business ,
resumption of communications , public safety and education .
One Mr. NONG Ying - yue, the head of the Civil Administration Bureau in
Canton , also addressed the assembled " Officials in Charge . " After referring to
the " oppressive methods adopted by the British during their rule of Hong Kong , "
* The districts in Hong Kong are : Central ; Wanchai ; Bowrington Canal ; Happy Valley ; Cause
way Bay ; Shaukiwan ; Sheung Wan ( Western ) ; Siayingpun ; West Point ; Kennedy Town ; Aberdeen ;
and Stanley . In Kowloon they are : Tsimshatsui : Yaumati ; Mongkck ; Shamshiupo ; Hunghom ; and
Kowloon City . The names of the " officials in charge" in the Hong Kong districts are in the
order of the districts named : P.H.SIN ; HO Yat-yue ; HO Tak-Kwong ; NG Man-chak ; KWOK Hin-wang ;
TSANG Sau- chiu ; SIU Wai-ming ; LI Kai -sun ; SUEN Kwong-Kuen ; KAN MAN ; WAN Siu-po ; and LI
Chung-ching . For Kowloon , in the order of the districts named ; they are : LEUNG Kai ; FUNG HO ;
CHUNG Yung ; NG Yee-kong ; LEE Lan-sum ; TAI Yeuk - lam .
** Reported in the HONG KONG NEWS , Wednesday, January 28 , 1942 .
*** Interesting as one of the few instances in which the persistent , continuous , and very
effective racial propaganda of the Japanese military found its way into print in a form in
which it might come to the attention of Germany . See below , " Propaganda . "
Hongkong's New Governor
Pays Homage At Shrine
Lieut . General Rensuke Isogai , newly - appointed Governor
of Hongkong, arrived at Ujiyamada on Monday where he
paid homage at the Ise Grand Shrine, states a Domei message
which adds that our Governor then proceeded to Kashiwara
to pay respect at the tomb of the first Emperor of Japan,
Emperor Jimmu .
Picture shows Lieut . General Isogai at home in kimono .
25
he said that Japan's one desire , to be a " friend " of China's , had been blocked
by CHIANG Kai-shek , a tool of Britain and America ; that both General Yazaki and
Mr. Sometani ( head of the Hong Kong Bureau of the Civil Administration Depart
ment ) were real friends of China .
Shortly after the establishment of this system of district bureaus, a fur
ther subdivision of the governing units was accomplished by the setting up of
wards . A little note published very inconspicuously in the HONG KONG NEWS of
February 9 announced that the " Central District Committee" had " elected" 131
ward leaders ; it was estimated ,, according to this statement , that there would
be 2,000 ward leaders in the 12 Districts on Hong Kong Island . Presumably the
same ratio per density of population was followed in the delineation of wards
in the Kowloon Districts , and there , as in Hong Kong , the " ward leaders " were
responsible to the Bureau of the District in which their-ward was situated .
6. District Affairs Bureau . Over this relatively elaborate administra
tive machinery , calculated to encompass and bind the " Captured Territory"
within the network of a petty Chinese officialdom committed to the service of
the Japanese , there was set a District Affairs Bureau , under the Chairmanship
of Mr. P. H. SIN , who was concurrently the Official in Charge of the Central
District Bureau . The District Affairs Bureau was expected generally to concern
itself with all matters affecting the welfare of the people on the Island , and
it was to it that the various District Bureaus were directed to bring their
problems , and any reports they had to make on the views and wants of the people
in their respective Districts . It provided the liaison between the Districts
and the Civil Administration Department . P. H. SIN worked under Major General
YAZAKI, and provided an alternate channel , a check and balance , as against the
Rehabilitation Advisory Committee under LAW Kuk -wo and CHOW Shou-son . In
Kowloon one PANG Yuk - lan was charged with functions similar to those of SIN in
Hong Kong relative to the Districts under him , although he is believed to have
>
acted there as SIN's deputy and to have been expected to report rather to SIN
than to YAZAKI .
SIN came thus to be , after LAW and possibly CHOW , the most responsible
Chinese in Hong Kong , and among the English-speaking Chinese of the " Captured
Territory" he was called the " Mayor , " although this title implies the posses
sion of powers which , as a minion of the Japanese , he did not enjoy .
7. Isogai Takes Over as Governor.
a. Flash -back . On September 10 , 1941 , in the centenary year of the found
ing of the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong , Sir Mark Young , the then newly
appointed Governor of the Colony , was formally inducted into office . The cere
mony took place in the King's Theatre , on a stage bedecked with flowers and the
British flag , where there were seated the select of His Britannic Majesty's
Chinese servants in Hong Kong , as well as the ranking members of the military
and naval staffs of His Excellency the Colonial Governor . The audience was
composed of the staffs of the various Consulates , * and the ranking members of
British , American and Chinese business concerns and organizations in the Colony .
The audience stood up as the Governor marched down the aisle , followed by the
*
Including the Japanese Consul General and two other members of his staff .
- 26 --
faithful supporters of his Government , led by Sir Robert Kotewall and Sir
Shouson Chow ; a military band , complete with bagpipes , played "God Save The
King . " When the Governor's party had reached the stage , and the audience had
resumed its seats , Sir Robert Kotewall read a fervid address of welcome , and
the show was on .
b. A Second Showing . Five months and fifteen days later on February
25 , 1942 -
precisely the same performance was reenacted in the same theatre :
if anything , Sir Robert was even more fervid . But there were differences . The
Governor who made the response was Lieutenant General Ronsuke Isogai . * and the
British and Americans who had attended the early showing were in filthy intern
ment camps ; the music was the Japanese national anthem . Sir Robert was now Law
( or alternately Lo ) Kuk -wo , and at the end of the performance he felt called
upon to lead the audience in three rousing " Banzais . "
C. The General Replies . In response to Mr. Lo's welcome ( and that of
Messrs . Chow Shou-son** and Lau Tit-shing ) , General Isogai asserted that :
" Hong Kong has been for long an important base in the Orient for
furthering the decadent materialistic civilizations based on selfish
individualism ... ( Britain ) regarded us , the Oriental races , as her
subjects , supreme in her arrogant tyranny ... there are some unscrupu
lous Oriental people who have often been content to be used as a cat's
paw by the British people , thus seeking their own excessive gain and
unhealthy pleasure . .... In the Western
In the Western section
section of
of the interior of
China there are still Chinese who will not realize that a wonderful
opportunity is being offered them ... they are content to act as the
puppets of the British and Americans , having the selfish aim of pro
tecting their own power and influence . ...Should there be any person
in Hong Kong who still desires the selfish European civilization that
has caused so much harm to the Oriental cultures ... let that person
leave here at the earliest opportunity and be a slave of the British
or Americans . I will try to eradicate these undesirable elements...As
to the future policies for Hong Kong , they were clearly laid down in
11 ***
my Order of the Day issued on February 20 .
d. Order of the Day . This " Order of the Day, " published in the HONG
KONG NEWS of February 22 , 1942 , **** had not , however , afforded a clear blue
print of the Governor's plans . After affirming that " The base from which Brit
ain , public enemy of mankind , plotted to fulfill her unlimited ferocity of
heart , has now been extinguished , which is a cause for the heartiest rejoicings
amongst the millions in East Asia , " it asserted that "Hong Kong , under military
* Long a student of China, Isogai was sometimes called by the Chinese before the Sino
Japanese War " the Doihara of South China " because of his political interest in that area .
He was therefore a logical choice for the Governorship of Hong Kong .
** Under the British regime both Sir Robert ard Sir Shouson had been members of the Legisla
tive Council . of their performance , at Isogai's welcome the sarcastic editor of the Hong
Kong News wisecracked : " When Knights were bold , they were Legislative Councillors . Now ,
of course , they're not so bold . "
*** HONG KONG NEWS , February 26 , 1942 .
**** See Enclosure No. 18 for the full text .
This happy picture taken shortly after the fall of
Hongkong shows Lieut-Colonel Tada, of the General Staff
of the Japanese South China Command and Chief of the
Army Information Bureau , being greeted by the Japanese
Consul-General, Mr S. Yano. The latter is at present
on a visit to Tokyo.
- 27
rule , should hereafter co-operate ... to reconstruct its position and to help
in the attainment of victory in the Greater East Asia War ...the present strength
and culture of the place must be elevated to the same spiritual stream in order
to attain the Kingly Way , which will shine upon the eternal basic prosperity of
East Asia , " and exhorted the residents of Hong Kong to " eschew vices and sever
themselves from easy practices in the light of the Kingly Way and give all
their energies to the service of the community..." It closed with the oft- re
peated and by no means empty threat : " As for those who transgress the path of
Right ... these are the enemies of East Asia's millions and are not members of
our Kingly Way . Irrespective of their nationality or race , I will deal with
these according to military law , without mercy ,
2. Yazaki and Sometani Depart. With the arrival of the Governor , General
Isogai , Major General Yazaki , who had been Director of the Civil Administration
Department and who had been largely responsible for the establishment of such
controls of the civilian populace of Hong Kong as had so far been set up , was
transferred to another post . On February 19 he gave a farewell luncheon party
to the members of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee at which he told them
that since the Governor's arrival he would naturally look after all civil af
fairs . In the inevitable reply by Sir Robert Kotewall the General was told that
everything that had been accomplished so far had been due to the latter's ef
forts , and that the Chinese community wished to thank him and to wish him every
success in his new sphere of activities , especially in his efforts to improve
the relationships between Japan and China .
Mr. S. Sometani , the Japanese civilian head of the Hong Kong Bureau of the
Civil Administration Department , was transferred at the same time . He gave his
farewell party to his staff and the officials of the District Bureaus on
February 21 , taking the occasion to introduce his successor , a Mr. Matsuba , and
bespeaking for the latter the same assistance which he had himself received .
The Chairman of the District Affairs Bureau , Mr. Sin , and the ranking Chinese
in the Civil Administration Department , Mr. WAN Shiu-ying , made " suitable re
plies . " *
f. Japanese Consulate Closes . Of greater significance were the farewells
for Consul General Yano and his " number two , " Consul Kimura . By a notice pub
lished on February 23 , 1942 , the public was informed of the closing of the
Japanese Consulate General in Hong Kong This was , of course , from a Japanese
point of view , a logical development . As the press reports stated , since Hong
Kong was now a part of the Japanese Empire , there was no further need for a
Consulate but the warmth of regard expressed for its staff by the Japanese
military whose arrival had made their further functioning unnecessary was in
teresting , as was also the evident sincerity of the regard in which Kimura at
least , if not Yano , was held by certain of Hong Kong's Chinese residents . The
party given to Kimura on February 22 by some of the Chinese who had been asso
ciated with him was apparently a real farewell . At another party , on the 28th
of February , Yano gave a history of the office , and , in a response by Lieutenant
General KITAJIMA , was praised by that officer ( who spoke on behalf of the occupy
ing army ) for the part that the Japanese Consulate General in Hong Kong had
* It is interesting that , in nearly all of these functions , the Japanese are the hosts , even
though the party is a " farewell " to one of them .
28
played prior to the fall in helping to bring to fruition the Japanese plans
for the capture of the Colony . At still another affair , given on March 2 by
the Japanese community of Hong Kong , Yano himself spoke of the " preparations
which had been made" for the capture of Hong Kong , noting however that " it had
come about earlier than had been anticipated . " *
8. Civil Court of Justice . A formal notice , " by order of the Hong Kong Govern
ment" announced on March 10 the establishment of a court of justice for the adjudi
cation of civil cases . ** Any person wishing to institute a civil action in the
Court was asked to apply to it for instructions as to how to proceed . The
Court was located in the former Supreme Court Building , and several weeks later
a Civil Law Office was set up there also , the regulations being altered to
require that anyone wishing to bring suit should first notify that office .
The system of trial by jury was dispensed with as a senseless and ineffi
cient Anglicism , nor were lawyers admitted to practice before the court . State
ments of the allegations in a given case were to be taken from the parties to
the action by an officer of the court , and presumably an investigation of the
facts was to be undertaken by him , whereafter the Court the presiding judge
being , it was said , a judicial officer from Japan would reach its judg
SC
ment . Effect would be given to its decisions by the gendarmerie , the costs
being five percent of the amount involved in the action . Although no defin
ite statement to that effect was made , the civil law to be followed was pre
sumably that enforced in Japan except where modified , because of the special
situation of Hong Kong , by the fact that it was under a form of martial law ,
or by local custom , it being the declared intention of the Japanese not to
violate the customs and usage of the Chinese . Press and other reports indi
cate that , for the first six or eight months at least , the Civil Court had
little to do .
Perhaps because of that circumstance , or possibly in tribute to the in
fluence of the legal profession , something less than a year later Chinese ,
Japanese , and "Manchukuoan " lawyers were given permission by the Government
General of Hong Kong to resume their practice there . *** All criminal offenses ,
and all alleged breaches of military laws and regulations , or any act regard
ed as contrary to the numerous orders and proclamations issued under martial
law , continued to be tried by military courts or courts-martial .
9. Laws for Hong Kong's Governance . " As a further measure to ensure the
maintenance of peace and order as well as to stabilize the livelihood of those
at present residing here ," the Office of the Governor of Hong Kong promul
gated an ordinance on March 28 , 1942 , effective from that date , regulating
* The exact nature of the Japanese Consulate's services in this connection are of course not
known, but it is believed that they covered ( 1 ) a very active and complete espionage ( in
Co- operation with the military ) and ( 2 ) persistent anti-British and anti- " white " propaganda
among the Hong Kong Chinese .
** See Enclosure No. 24 , Hong Kong Government , Notice No. 9 .
*** DOMEI , Tokyo , February 20 , 1943 .
29
the entry into or residence in Hong Kong of all persons , and controlling trans
portation and commercial transactions . *
Although described in their preamble as " Laws for Rule of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong , " they amount in essence to a set of closely restrictive
regulations calculated to force every resident of Hong Kong to register his
arrival , his presence , or his intention to depart , as well as the details of
his situation and of any business in which he may be engaged . The Ordnance is
divided into nine numbered " Chapters" and covers forty - one " items." The first
" item " of the four comprising " Chapter One " states the subjects which the law
is to cover and exempts military persons , army and navy employees , and their
families , and military supplies . " Item Two ," which sets forth the actual in
tent of the law , states :
" All those persons entering and leaving , residing in , transport
ing goods in and out of , and establishing businesses , carrying on
businesses , with commercial activities , in the areas ruled by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong must obtain permis
sion from the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
" Item Three" states that permission to enter or leave , reside in , transport
goods in and out of , to establish businesses , to carry on businesses or commer
cial activities , will be refused by the Governor of Hong Kong to nine listed
categories of people , including " enemy nationals , " " foreign nationals with
enemy leanings , " and " persons who are unsuitable as residents with respect to
their attitude towards military affairs , public safety , and local customs , "
etc. , the terminology being purposely so vague as to be applicable to anyone .
" Item Four " places the enforcement of this ordinance in the hands of the Gen
darmerie . The other eight chapters give in detail the requirements for regis
tration ; the information desired ; etc. , and state that breaches of the regula
tion will be dealt with under military law .
A press conference was held on March 30 to instruct the reporters on the
part they were expected to play in convincing the Chinese populace that it
would be to their advantage to support these laws . A Captain Kimura , Chief
of the Police Affairs Section of the Gendarmerie Headquarters addressed the
pressmen . ** He described the statements which the law required as being divis
ible into two categories , "applications for permission , " and " reports . " The
" applications " ( presumably for permission to carry on business , etc. ) had to be
submitted in quadruplicate to the Divisional Headquarters ; the " reports " were
to be submitted to the Gendarme Police Stations in duplicate . Kimura empha
sized that persons already in business had to apply again for permission ; that
the law required the submission of " applications " and " reports " by Japanese and
" third nationals " by the end of April, while Chinese were given until the end
of June . Failure to comply with the laws would be punished , he warned ; serious
offences would be tried by court-martial ; minor ones would be dealt with by the
Gendarme Police .
* Enclosure No. 31 for the full text of the law as published in the HONG KONG NEWS , March
29 , 30 , and 31 , 1942 .
** See Enclosure No. 36 .
- 30 -
C
But in this instance at least the docile Chinese population had a better
understanding than did the Japanese of the problems which confront a conqueror .
By the end of May there had been less than 7,000 registrations ( i.e. , " reports " )
of residence for the whole Colony , which at that time was estimated by the Jap
anese to have a Chinese population of over 1,000,000 persons ; on June 15 , with
only two weeks left , a semi-official statement admitted that the ordinance was
being generally disregarded by the Chinese . It was obviously impossible to
visit upon all of these potential delinquents the threatened penalties for " fail
ure to comply with the laws , " and , since the Governor himself stated publicly
that he would not consent to the extension of the time limit beyond the end of
June , the Japanese took the only course open to them : they changed the law
very considerably simplifying and reducing its requirements . Even then there
were few who could be got to register , although Sir Robert Kotewall , Chan
Lim-pak , * and " Mayor " Peter Sin all appealed to the populace to comply , and
special forms were printed to make compliance simpler still .
10 . Twin Councils . At the same time that Hong Kong's " laws " were pro
mulgated , the Governor undertook another considerable modification of the ad
ministrative machinery set up prior to his arrival by Generals Sakai and Yazaki .
He decreed the establishment of two councils , called the " Chinese Representative
Council " and the " Chinese Cooperative Council , " to act in place of the Rehabil
itation Advisory Committee , which he dissolved . The Representative Council was
composed of three men - Sir Robert Kotewall , LAU-Tit-shing , and LI Tse- fong ,
.
to whom a fourth , CHAN Lim-pak , was later to be added . Its function was to
afford the Governor a liaison with the people of Hong Kong and to assist it in
this duty it was empowered to " elect" from the Chinese residing in the " Cap
tured Territory " the membership -- numbering twenty-two -
of the Cooperative
Counoil, which was to act under its direction . Sir Robert was appointed Chair
man of the Representative Council : the Cooperative Council , allowed to elect
its own Chairman , selected -- almost certainly by pre- arrangement -- Sir Shouson
Chow . LI Koon- chung was elected its Vice-Chairman . The Representative Council
was to hold daily meetings ; at its first meeting on April 2 , the Cooperative
Council decided to meet every Monday and Thursday .
At the final meeting of the Rehabilitation Advisory Council , Sir Robert
said that it had held 59 meetings since its inception but that it had accomplish
ed little , the " phenomenal progress" which had been made being due almost en
tirely to the efforts of the Governor . It may be that the Committee had in
fact proved a relatively ineffective instrument , and it is probable that the
machinery by which it was superseded was fashioned as it was to give the greatest
amount of influence and responsibility to a small group of men amenable to the
Governor and acceptable to the Japanese generally -- while the Cooperative
Council , representative of the various occupational groups within the community , >
would afford a wider popular base . It is also conceivable that there were per
sonalities involved : Sir Shouson Chow had during the days of British rule
never willingly admitted the precedence of Sir Robert Kotewall in the Chinese
community , and it is possible that the presence of the two of them on the same
Committee did not make for harmony . With two Councils they could both be Chair
men as long as neither disobeyed their Japanese masters .
* A well known merchant believed to have extensive connections in Hong Kong's underworld .
See enclosure No. 1 , " List of Persons Prominently Associated with the Japanese . "
A caption above these three pictures read :
" COUNCIL MEMBERS "
Photographs show the three members of the
Chinese Representative Council now formed .
In center is Mr. Lo Kuk - 0 , chairman . On
left , Mr. Lau Tit - shing ; on the right ,
Nr . Li Tse-fong" . ( The names are correct
Mr.
. Mr. " Lo " being Sir Robert Kotewall -
and the pictures are likenesses of the
persons named ., - rsw ) . The headline be
sides which they were displayed read :
"GOVERNOR RECEIVED CHINESE COUNCILS "
" Hopes for New Era of Hong Kong Frosperity "
HONG KONG NEWS, April 1, 1942 .
- 31 -
Press statements on the subject indicated that the Representative Council ,
" charged with informing the Governor of the people's desires , and the people
of the Governor's aims, " was expected to receive directly from individuals or
groups such suggestions or petitions as they desired to present .
then supposed to be referred to the Cooperative Council for discussion , where
after they were to be returned to the Representative Council with appropriate
recommendations . The matter might then be presented to the Governor .
11 . Bureaus for the Conquered Territory . By an order issued on April 16 ,
1942 , * the Governor took a further initiative in the elaboration of the already
complicated governmental machine administering Hong Kong : he divided the ter
ritory into three " areas" over each of which he set an " Area Bureau . " One
Bureau was to deal with " all the island of Hong Kong and the small islands around
Hong Kong , including Cheung Chau Island and Ping Chau Island . " Another was the
Kowloon Bureau , with Kowloon , Kai Tak , and Tsun Wan ; and the third , the New
Territory Bureau , with all of the new territories , except those under the Kow
loon Bureau .
Each of those Bureaus was to be staffed with a Chief , a Deputy Chief ,
three Subordinate Chiefs , and forty-two minor personnel . The Chief was charged
with supervising , " under orders from the Chief of the Governor's Office , " the
carrying out of the Governor's laws , attending to the business of the Bureau ,
and the direction of subordinates . In his absence , the Deputy Chief was to take
over his duties . In the absence of both the Chief and his Deputy , the Chief
of the Governor's Office would depute one of the Subordinate Chiefs in the Bureau
to act for him .
The Order instructed each Bureau to set up three subordinate offices , a
General Office , an Economic Office , and a Health Office . The General Office was
to handle general business , financial plans , educational matters , and others .
The Economic Office was to deal with industrial economy , communications and
transportation , and with " necessities from raw materials " ( sic ) . The Health
Office was charged with the promotion of health , measures against disease , and
medical supplies .
Although the fact was nowhere stated in the press accounts of their estab
lishment , these bureaus were at least partially staffed by Japanese and it is
probable that it was intended that all but the lowest ranking officials should
be Japanese . The strongest indication of this is the fact that the names of the
Chiefs of these Bureaus were never directly reported as such in the press , nor
were the other personnel ever listed , and such notice as the Bureau officials
received was incidental . This corresponds to the treatment accorded other Jap
anese officials , military or civilian , serving in the government of Hong Kong ;
whereas whenever a Chinese , even one previously totally unknown , could be got
to accept a position under the Japanese , the press would unfailingly publicize
that fact as another proof of growing Chinese adherence to the Japanese regime .
---
* See enclosures No. 43 , Governor's Order No. 13 , setting forth the rules governing the
Bureaus , and No. 44 , Governor's Order No. 14 , delimiting the areas to be controlled by each
Bureau .
-32 -
These Bureaus were not meant to supersede or displace the Chinese-staffed
District Bureaus and their ward leaders , but represented an organization paral
lel to them with much greater actual authority . In practice the District Bu
reaus came to be only supplementary in their functions to the Area Bureaus,
although the former always enjoyed a channel of approach to the higher Japanese
which was independent of the Bureau in whose area they happened to be . The
existence of the two tended to create a certain amount of confusion as to the
ultimate responsibility , but here again there was the check and counter - check
which the evidently suspicious nature of the ruling Japanese required .
12 . The Governor's Office .
With the transfer of Major General Yazaki and
the assumption by Lieutenant General Isogai of the Governorship of Hong Kong ,
the Civil Administration Department was dissolved , and its functions taken over
by the office known to Hong Kong Chinese by their reading of the Chinese charac
a name rendered
ters in its Japanese designation : Tsung Tu Pu 督 部
into English as the " Governor's Office" or the "Government General .
There are no press or other reports describing the division of labor within
this office , and Chinese who dealt with it were often – perhaps deliberately -
given a confused and inaccurate idea as to its workings ; but a careful examina
tion of existing data makes possible a fairly accurate picture of its organiza
tion ,
Presided over by a Chief of the Governor's Office , a ranking military
official directly under the Governor , its most important sub - office appears to
have been the Civil Affairs Bureau , under a Japanese civilian - currently a Mr.
Ichiki . The Control and Supervision , Foreign Affairs , Education , Economic ,
Financial , and Land & Houses , Sections are believed to have been administrative
divisions of this Bureau , although in practice each evidently enjoyed a consid
erable degree of autonomy and authority within its particular sphere . The
Control and Supervision Section , for instance , appears to have wielded wide if
ill-defined powers in such matters as the distribution of commodities , the sale
of rationed articles , etc. The size of , and the number of personnel employed
by , certain of these Sections was also misleading : an intelligent Chinese in
formant who had dealings with the Governor's Office believed that it was com
posed of three Departments - Economic , Financial , and Land & Houses , these three
being evidently the most active . *
Three other Bureaus evidently functioned directly under the Chief of the
Office : Communications , Information , and Repatriation . The Press Section ,
which , with the induction of Governor Isogai , took over control of Hong Kong's
press from the Japanese Army Press Bureau , was under the Information Bureau which
apparently also managed the local censorship and directed propaganda .
* Varying translations for the Chinese characters used in the Japanese designations of these
offices is the cause of some little of the confusion : as an example , the English language
HONG KONG NEWS refers at different times to the " Educational and Cultural Department , " the
" Education Departments , and the " Education Section , " the three being different renderings of
the same name .
- 33 -
There also appear to have been some four "Departments" set up in the Gov
ernor's Office : the Public Works Department ; the Water Department ( the latter
seems not to have been a part of the former ) ; the Health ( or Medical ) Depart
ment ; and the Electrical Department . The Anti-Epidemic Bureau was under the
direction of the Health Department , while the Telephone Bureau was evidently a
part of the Electrical Department .
With the establishment of the Governor's Office and of the Bureaus and
Departments among which its responsibilities and duties were divided , the ad
ministrative machinery with which the Japanese were to under take the exploita
tion of Hong Kong's potentialities was to all intents and purposes complete ;
subsequent reports do not suggest that any important changes have to date been
made in it .
13. In contrast . The administration of Hong Kong in the last fully normal
year of British rule was officially described as follows :
" The Government is administered under Letters Patent of 14th
February , 1917 , and Royal Instructions of the same date and subse
quent dates , by a Governor aided by an Executive Council , composed of
six official and three unofficial members , and by a Legislative Council
composed of nine official and eight unofficial members .
" The six official members of the Executive Council are the Sen
ior Military Officer , the Colonial Secretary , the Attorney General ,
the Secretary for Chinese Affairs , the Colonial Treasurer , all of
whom are members ex-officio , and the Director of Public Works , ap
pointed by the Governor . The three unofficial members , one of whom
is Chinese , are appointed by the Governor .
" The six official members of the Executive Council are also mem
bers of the Legislative Council ; the other three official members of
this Council , who are appointed by the Governor , are the Inspector
General of Police , the Harbour Master , and the Director of Medical
Services . of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council two
are appointed by the Governor on the nomination respectively of the
Justices of the Peace and of the Chamber of Commerce ; the Governor
also appoints the remaining members , three of whom are Chinese . Ap
pointment in the case of unofficial members is for five years for the
Executive and four years for the Legislative Council .
" The daily administration is carried out by the twenty - eight Gov
ernment departments , all officers of which are members of the Civil
Service . The most important of the purely administrative departments
are the Secretariat , Treasury , Secretariat for Chinese Affairs , Post
Office , Harbour , the Imports and Exports , Police and Prisons depart
ments . There are seven legal departments , including the Supreme
Court and the Magistracies , Two departments , Medical and Sanitary ,
deal with public health , one , Education , with education ; and one , the
- 34
largest of all the Government departments , Public Works , is concern
ed with roads , buildings , waterworks , piers , and analogous matters . *
Viewed objectively , the government which this excerpt describes so suc
cinctly is that of a small group of selected Englishmen who hold all of its
important posts : with the exception of the Senior Military Officer - a General
in the British Army they are all members of the Colonial Service , and they
are supported by a civil service recruited from among their own countrymen
who control the subordinate but all- important administrative functions of
the Colony The reader will have noted that the six official members of the
Executive Council , whose votes control that body , are there by virtue of the
fact that they are the heads of the vital administrative departments . The
Senior Military Officer commands the troops ; the Colonial Secretary is the head
of the Secretariat , the Colonial Treasurer is the head of the Treasury , the
Secretary for Chinese Affairs is the head of the Secretariat controlling those
affairs , etc. , etc.
These same six officers are also ex officio members of the Legislative
Council , where , with the votes of the three other official members of the
latter body also chosen because they are the heads of other important ad
ministrative departments they control that Council also . The executive ,
legislative , and administrative functions of the British Government of Hong
Kong were thus all in the hands of the Governor and the same small group , to
whom every officer in any administrative department of the Government they
had all to be members of the Civil Service of the Colony** was responsible ,
and on whom his career and future depended .
This relatively small group of controlling officials would appear to have
admitted at its higher levels only four Chinese into its membership ;
they were appointed by the Governor , *** and although they undertook to speak
for the Chinese who formed the population of the Colony , they could not be ex
pected unfailingly to afford them vigorous representation .
In spite , however , of this very small participation of Chinese in their
government , the administration itself was widely accepted as efficient and
honest , and in practice the interests of the small foreign community were so
interwoven with those of the Chinese residents that the latter were nearly
always able -- particularly if they belonged to the educated or wealthy class
es -C
to bring their grievances effectively before the Government in one form
or another .
Let us contrast this Government with that which has superseded it . In
the Japanese model , the actual control , as we have seen , is exercised by ( 1 ) the
* ANNUAL REPORT ON THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COLONY OF HONG KONG
FOR THE YEAR 1936 : the underlining was added by the present writer . There had been no
fundamental changes in this set-up for years , and it was not subsequently altered , although
certain war- time controls were set up . The REPORT was published by the Hong Kong Govern
ment .
** Exclusively English , a circumstance not typical of British colonial governments as a
whole .
***Note has already been taken of their general calibre .
- 35
Governor and his Office , the latter comprising the administrative departments ; *
( 2 ) the " area " Bureaus** ; and ( 3 ) the Gendarmerie . No one who reads the full
text of this report will doubt that the Government which these organs provide
is completely ruthless , interested in the lives of the governed only insomuch
as they are lived to further the aggrandizement and power of the governors .
No concepts of freedom or justice or popular representation could possibly arise
to embarrass their single-minded pursuit of the aims of Japanese Empire .
But consider the number of Chinese that they have associated with them :
the effective leaders of the Chinese community form the four-man Representative
Council ; the major trades and activities of the Colony are represented on the
22 -man Co-operative Council ; the eighteen District Bureaus , each with a Chief ,
a Deputy Chief , and Chinese staffs , employ several hundred Chinese in respon
sible advisory positions ; and there are probably as many as 3,000 " ward leaders. "
The ends which the establishment of this relatively much wider " popular"
base serve are , from the conqueror's standpoint , many and sound , but for the
Japanese the most compelling motive was almost certainly the fact that it ap
pealed to them as a patent and obvious technique of control . Every one of the
Chinese whom the Japanese associated with their administrative machinery was
answerable to his superiors , and his defection could be the more readily detect
ed and punished because of the responsibilities which he had assumed . The Jap
anese by this means increased greatly the strength of their hold on many of the
most prominent Chinese ; for many of the latter it will not be long before the
adequate performance of the tasks which have been put upon them becomes a matter
of personal " face, " and thereafter their self-respect ; their own view of them
selves , cannot but be inextricably engaged in their being good servants of the
Emperor of Japan .
B. Public Safety .
1 . With the Army in Charge . For the first three weeks after the surren
der of Hong Kong the maintenance of public order was entrusted almost completely
to the Japanese Army and gendarmerie , with results -- planned or otherwise
that have already been noted in this report . Aside from its participation in
the looting , and its action in decreeing martial law , the principal contribu
tion of the Army to the stabilization of the situation appeared to be the char
acteristically haphazard movement of small squads numbering usually not more
than four or five men , comprising a non-com or officer and three or four pri
vates that went about , apparently without specific orders , searching pri
--
vate houses , and rummaging through the accumulations of loot . Many of the in
dignities to which the population at large was subjected were the acts of such
squads .
* Directed by a group of Japanese experts and administrators which by the purest conjec
ture -
this writer would estimate to number not less than 800 , and probably well over a
thousand .
** Officered , it is believed , by Japanese civilian administrators ; if this is true , the min
imum of 47 officials which each of the three ( later four ) bureaus requires to staff it would
further swell the number of Japanese administrative personnel employed .
36 -
2. Gang Rule . The vacuum thus created sucked upward the lowest elements
of Hong Kong's underworld , and the actual police power of the community fell into
the hands of gangs of Chinese toughs and criminals , members of the age-old
secret societies and thieves ' guilds . They did no rioting , and it is not re
corded of them that they were given to rape , or even to murder on a large
scale . But they levied a tremendous fiscal toll while they had the opportunity .
They took control , for instance , of the cross- roads leading down from the Peak
to the lower levels ; they would stand around in small groups , and although they
did not bother foreigners , and would disappear at the approach of one of the
wandering squads of Japanese soldiery , they charged a price to every Chinese
passer-by . Chinese coolie women trudging down from the Peak with loads of loot
that it had taken them the whole day to gather , and that as often as not would
amount to nothing more precious than some old clothing or a pile of furniture
broken up for firewood , would have to surrender a part of it for the privilege
of continuing safely on . During the time when the old wells , now re-opened ,
were the only source of water for a large percentage of the people , they col
lected around the stone well-platforms , asking a price for the use of the well ;
when later the Japanese opened a number of public fountains to afford free
water for people who could not pay the exhorbitant rates which were assessed
for the piped supply , the gangs took them over , selling the water . * Frequently
they were able , either by bribery or fraud , to represent themselves as agents
of the Japanese military , and as such they forced their way into private homes ,
restaurants or shops , using every conceivable pretext for extortion . There was
no one to stop them ; they were the rulers of the city .
3. Protection , Guards, and Gates . In his speech on January 10 to the 133
prominent Chinese whom he had collected for luncheon at the Peninsula Hotel ,
General Sakai had suggested that the people might organize their own self- pro
tection guards " under the direction of the officials . " ** This was probably al
ready being done when he spoke of it : the innate desire of the Chinese for
order had already begun to re-assert itself , and the wealthier of Hong Kong's
residents had found a solution in regularizing the extortion to which they were
being subjected . They had realized that for a lump sum they could hire the mem
bers of one particular gang to protect them against the others , and gradually
the hired thugs took on the character of " Volunteer Guards" who took their
duties seriously .
In many sections the families living in a given block , and who might have
been contributing jointly to a fund to pay their " guards, " joined together to
erect strong bamboo gates at each end of the street , so that no one except resi
>
dents and persons whom they desired to admit could enter the block . The erec
tion of such gates became so common that on February 16 the Gendarmerie issued
a regulation governing their size . It was ordered that , to make traffic through
them possible , they should be ten feet wide and have a clearance of twelve feet
where the street was open at both ends , or be eight feet wide and have a clear
ance of eleven feet where it was not .
* They preyed on the public latrines , both those for women and for men ; anyone using either
was very likely to be robbed .
** See above p . 22 . The hiring of their own guards is said to have been mooted among Central
District merchants even before the Colony's surrender , when , under circumstances described
earlier in this report , the 'protection " problem first became acute in Hong Kong .
- 37
4. Re- establishment of a Police Force . In the latter part of January it
was reported that earlier in the month some 2,000 members of the former British
police force in Hong Kong had been re - employed by the Japanese , including in
that number Indians, Chinese , and some foreigners . * Between two and three
hundred of this force , newly uniformed and heavily armed , were paraded through
the business section of the city on January 17 , evidently as a warning to the
unruly that the police had resumed their functions .
5. Gendarmerie Takes Over The Japanese gendarmerie had been active in
Hong Kong from the day of the surrender of the Island ;** they had undertaken the
" round - up " of leading Chinese which began after the close of hostilities , and >
residents saw many evidences of the work of gendarmerie "Investigation Corps"***
which was widely reported among them to have been brought in from Japan . It
was supposed to have besides its list of those Chinese who might be useful to
the Japanese , a roster of " dangerous radicals" and others , whom it was charged
with apprehending . There were persistent " grape -vine " rumors of wholesale
searches and arrests , and it was whispered that numbers of people were being
executed . **** In this early period the Gendarmerie did not , however , undertake
ordinary police work .
One of the first acts of Isogai's regime was addressed to them , but it was
in the direction of increasing rather than checking their power : he placed the
Imperial Gendarmerie in direct charge of the Hong Kong Police , the Fire Brigade ,
and the Water Police . In discussing this change , Captain Kimura , Chief of the
Police Affairs Section of the Gendarmerie Headquarters, said that , although
under ordinary circumstances the preservation of peace and order was handled by
both the Gendarmerie and the Police , the former for military and the latter for
civil affairs , since Hong Kong was under a military administration , the preser
vation of peace and order was now to be undertaken solely by the Gendarmerie ,
which also controlled the Police and Fire Brigade , the former being known as
the Gendarme Police ***** and the latter as the Gendarme Fire Brigade . The
Gendarmerie had , he continued , five divisions , East Hong Kong , West Hong Kong,
Kowloon , the New Territories , and the Harbor or Water Gendarmes . All former
police stations had been taken over by them and should now be called Gendarme
A Chinese informant alleges that in several instances British policemen who had married
Chinese wives were released from internment and allowed to re - enlist .
** Their interest in the Colony considerably antedated the War ; British and American interna
ees were surprised to discover , for instance , that the Gendarmerie officer placed in charge
of the internment camp , and to whom Japanese consular and other officials appeared to show
a certain amount of deference , was none other than Yamashita , for years one of the barbers
in the Japanese barber shop in the Hong Kong Hotel , patronized by many of the " Taipans " in
the community .O
RSW
*** Tiao Ch'a Tui
翻查 對 or Tiao Ch'a T'uan 35 $ 0 . RSW
**** From the Stanley Prison Yard , where the executions took place , the reports of rifle
fire were plainly audible nearly every morning ; there would be one , two , or sometimes three
shots , and then silence
***** Called Hsien Ch'a
2-11638
I
38 -
Police Stations . * Referring to the discipline of the Gendarme Police , he re
called that under the former British Government there had been many scandals
about the police force , ' but , he asserted , the Gendarmerie was determined that
there should be no more such scandals ; " the public should give up the idea that
they could gain the favor of the Gendarmes by giving bribes or presents . " **
The difference in the degree of control exercised by the police as they
had been at first re- organized and the new "Gendarme Police " was very marked .
The latter had the widest powers and evidently received the full support of the
Army. When , for instance , a large down-town restaurant was robbed in broad
daylight , the whole area was cordoned off and gone over with the greatest
thoroughness . *** Later on this technique was applied generally ; gendarmerie
squads , supplemented by fully -armed troop contingents , would rope off blocks of
certain streets , or particular areas , believed to harbor dangerous persons , and
search all houses and every passer -by . **** arresting anyone who could not satis
factorily explain his presence there . When the combing of one street had been
completed , they would move up to the next . While these intensive searches were
proceeding in particular areas , the rest of the Colony was not neglected . Day
and night " emergency squads " were reported to patrol Hong Kong " around the
clock . "
The administrative advantages of uniting the civil and military police
functions in the " captured territory " are obvious : it permitted the Gendarmerie
to extend its operations through an already trained corps of Indian and Chinese
police which served it not only as an immediate instrument but as the nucleus
around which it could build up a considerably larger body of freshly instructed
and indoctrinated native police directly under Japanese control . From the stand
point of the police themselves , it placed behind them the weight of the fearful
authority and prestige of the Japanese Gendarmerie .
A more profound if less obvious effect of the change was to alter the di
rection of normal police activity , and to assimilate it to that of the Gendarm
es . Henceforth in Hong Kong such acts as robbery , rape , or murder , committed
for the age-old motives , were to be regarded as relatively simple and uncompli
cated almost " natural " -- crimes . It was a different category of evil against
which the best energies of the "Gendarme Police" was to be spent ; the real
criminals were the " political terrorists , " the insidious spreaders of " danger
ous thoughts, " the unregenerate who wilfully misunderstood the " Imperial Way ."
For them there was literally , as many a Government order proclaimed , no mercy .
* The headquarters of the Imperial Gendarmerie were set up in the former Hong Kong Supreme
Court Building, on January 25 , 1942 .
** As any unprejudiced person who lived under both regimes would doubtless be glad to testi
fy , there was incomparably more corruption in the Imperial Gendarmerie than among either
British or Chinese police . - RSW
*** In vain , however . The robbers were never caught , perhaps because the Chinese instinc
tively resented all this " big - time " efficiency and would not voluntarily cooperate with the
pursuers .
****A practice which outraged Chinese sensibilities was the searching of women by gendarmes ,
especially at the Hong Kong Ferry, where they were frequently taken into public latrines and
stripped .
- 39 -
6. Street Guards and Self - Protection Corps Ordered Disbanded . Co - inci
dent with the transfer of police power in Hong Kong to the Imperial Gendarmerie
an examination of the status of the now highly organized and flourishing " Street
Guards " was undertaken . The " officials " of the latter organizations in the
Western Gendarmerie District were reported in the HONG KONG NEWS of February
20th to have been called into conference with the Gendarme Police , where they
were asked to report the exact amount being charged shops and residences for
protection . The immediate reason for this inquiry was stated to have been the
receipt of numerous complaints of inequality in the assessments being made ,
but as the Gendarmerie worked into their task it became evident that their
object was the liquidation of these semi- independent , private organizations
exercising the functions of public police . At the first meeting , however , they
evidently were simply instructed to canvas the shop-owners in their areas , to
warn them that if they did not resume business immediately their premises would
be sealed , and their subsequent applications to be permitted to re-open would
be refused . At a second meeting , on February 22 , the Guards were ordered to
submit a full statement of their income and expenditures within three days .
The results of these inquiries were not revealed immediately but on April
29 the Governor's Office issued an announcement to the effect that , " peace and
order now having been restored , " the authorities had decided to disband " Street
Guards , Self-Protection Corps , and District Watchmen " as of April 30. Review
ing the history of their organization , the Chief of the Press Bureau stated that
a number of residents had volunteered to undertake the formation of such groups ;
that some of them had been recruited under the guidance of the Army or civil
authorities ; they had " obeyed every order issued by the authorities" and had
" played their part in the preservation of peace and order ; " their duties had
included fire prevention , suppression of crime , and searching for arms . Among
the Guards there were , however , undesirable elements who had given rise to com
plaints against them , and since the training of the Gendarmerie Police was now
making good progress , the Guards were regarded as no longer necessary . Resi
dents who felt that they still required their services might petition the author
ities individually , and it was the intention of the latter to draft as many of
the Guards as possible into the new Gendarmerie Police . But meanwhile the
Cuards as they were then constituted would cease to exist , as from the effective
date of the order . * Residents were warned , therefore , to make no more payments
to any organization for the maintenance of such Guards .
Although it is unlikely that the protection " racket " has even yet been
completely stamped out , the formal organization of guard units was effectively
destroyed by the action described , and thenceforth the Gendarmerie had no rivals
save the gangsters themselves .
7. Prohibition of Gambling . With the dissolution of the " Self -Protec
tion Corps , " et al , one of the striking phenomena characteristic of Hong Kong
after its fall had been liquidated , but another -- the widespread gambling , in
which all elements of the Chinese population seemed to be equally engaged
* The " Street Guards " in Kowloon were disbanded at the same time , being given a gratuity of
30 Yen apiece . It is not known whether a similar payment was made to such of the Hong
Kong " guards " as were not reemployed ( in the Gendarme Police ) but it is assumed that they
ieceived some money settlement , probably at the expense of the citizenry .
- 40 --
was not so easily disposed of . In the period of enforced idleness which follow
ed the collapse of the defense , the whole Chinese population apparently turned
to gambling . In the narrow streets back of Queens Road so many small tables
were set up , one right after the other , along both sides of the roadway , and
there were so many people moving among the tables , that the streets themselves
became impassable for any other traffic . * The games " Pawn the Jewel , " a kind
of roulette without the wheel , and others played with dice , or by the numbers on
small dominoes started early in the morning and continued until dusk , when
the darkness made it unsafe to continue . Chinese " of the better classes " who
would not join the street games for fear of being robbed , gathered together in
their private homes and played mah jong . In one known instance the play con
tinued frequently for eighteen hours at a stretch , in others it is said to have
been continuous , the players stopping only to sleep and eat . They had no more
safety than their numbers and a locked gate could give them , and there was
nothing else to do . **
The spread of this mania among people who should have been enthusiastically
engaged in pressing forward the aims of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere appeared to disgust and anger the Japanese military , who may well also
have feared the effects which it might have on the maintenance of order . *** On
January 25 the military authorities issued a strict injunction forbidding all
gambling , and ordering the closing of gambling establishments , " whether on the
streets or in houses . " Every effort was made to enforce this edict , and although
some of the streets continued for several months to be not much more than open
air gambling casinos , the drive against them , coupled with gradual subsidence of
the first feeling of panic , was successful to a considerable extent in clearing
them up . Indoor gambling continued almost unaffected by the decree or by any of
the ones which followed it , and was undiscouraged by police action . In one case
in Kowloon four women who had been playing mah jong were made to kneel in Nathan
Road for several days , holding the mah jong set and placarded with a statement
of their offense . In other cases groups of as many as twenty men were arrested
and imprisoned for " participating in a mah jong game ." By the " Regulations for
Police Punishments " issued on May 31 **** " practicing gambling and similar con
duct " was listed as one of the offenses for which a fine not exceeding 500 Yen
or imprisonment for not more than three months was the penalty . None of these
things made any appreciable difference ; the gambling went on in spite of them .
*****
* Expressive of the near-hysteria which grips whole masses of people who have lost the feel
ing of security : they seek instinctively to find it again by losing themselves in the mob ,
and by engaging with it in some acceptable diversion that does not involve the issue from
which they are fleeing . An American can see the same thing any night in the crowds that
mill around Times Square in New York City .
** For foreigners , when there were four who could find the cards and a table , the game was
bridge .
*** Street gambling afforded the protection racket one of its most lucrative sources of
revenue .
**** See below .
***** A positive approach , involving ( 1 ) police action to clear the streets where that was
necessary or desirable , directed at keeping the thoroughfares open rather than against the
gambling , and ( 2 ) the resumption so far as possible of normal activities , supplemented by
social or discussion groups , etc. , would appear to have been a more effective way handle
- 41 -
8. Regulations of the Gendarmerie .
Perhaps as clear an insight into some
d
of the other problems which confronte the Imperial Gendarmerie in Hong Kong
may be gained from a review of the regulations through which it attempted to
solve them , as in any other way .
a . Espionage and Sedition . As has been indicated earlier in this report ,
the Gendarmerie's first task was to stamp out all activities hostile to the
Japanese Army or that would in any way hamper its operations . This was the in
tent of the proclamation of material law issued on the day the city fell , and it
was kept well to the fore in nearly all published orders and exhortations . A
further indication that this problem too continued to be a very live one was
given in the "preliminary orders " drawn up on March 10 in the name of " the
Governor of the Captured Territory , " " so that the people may understand what
conduct or action is treated as an offence under military law , " and warning the
people to refrain from such actions . The offences listed are ( 1 ) conduct of a
seditious character or directed against the Imperial Japanese Army ; ( 2 ) con
duct involving espionage ; ( 3 ) any conduct endangering the Army or " injuring
military operations. " Persons who had committed one of these offenses " but
who help to clear up the plotting " were promised that they might have their
punishment mitigated or remitted ; " those who confess before official discovery "
might have their punishment mitigated . This notice appeared consecutively for
a number of days , and was later from time to time re - printed . *
A Chinese informant who left Hong Kong in the fall 1942 , and who has fairly
wide Chinese contacts both in Hong Kong and Chungking , states however that there
has been and is very little underground activity directed at hampering Japanese
control ; the situation in Hong Kong is , he believes , different from that in
Europe In the Crown Colony under British rule the Chinese had only " colonial "
status ; they had been submerged by the white man , and are now being " rescued " by
the Japanese
ese . The Chinese , he says may hate the Japanese military , but he tends
to regard the ordinary Japanese as of the same race as himself , an attitude
which makes for an easier camaraderie between them . There are thus no deep
loyalties , no sound historic or political bases , from which the desperate un
derground activities which characterize Yugoslav or Greek resistance could spring
in Hong Kong . ** The Chinese talked quite freely among themselves , he asserts ,
and were not ordinarily overborne by any feeling of very strict supervision ;
they suffered more from the confusion of the government than from its harshness .
b. "" Third Nationals . " By a notice issued on January 16 , 1942 , over the
name of the Commander of the Imperial Gendarmerie , *** " all alien nationals of
neutral countries or countries allied with Japan , and people corresponding to
the aforementioned nationalities ( except Oriental races ) " were instructed to
* See enclosure No. 23 , Hong Kong Government Notice No. 8 , for the full text .
** In China itself , and especially in North China , where the Chinese communists provide the
backbone of resistance to Japan , the story is of course a very different one . It
should also be noted that the informant quoted was subjected to ten months of Japanese
propaganda and was deeply affected , as were all Hong Kong Chinese , by the swift collapse of
British resistance .
*** Lieutenant Colonel Noma .
42
present themselves at the Foreign Affairs Section of the Civil Administration
Department before January 19 to obtain passage certificates for movement
Hong Kong . Persons without such passes after that date would be regarded as
enemy nationals . * " Third nationals " were by a subsequent order required to re
port in writing any change in their address ; ** at the end of March they were
told that their passes expired on March 31 but would be extended until April 15 ;
on April i the regulations covering the issuance of the new passes were publish
ed , and severe punishment was promised for any misrepresentation . *** On April
17 the neutral status of Norwegians was revoked .
Foreigners generally -- other than enemy nationals were treated less
considerately than the "higher class" Chinese , but somewhat better than Chinese
of the " coolie class . " They were , however , subjected to onerous examinations
and questionings and the Gendarmerie were less liable even than troops of the
regular army to miss any opportunity to make clear to as large an audience of
Chinese as could be gathered at the moment the dependent and inferior position
of any particular foreigner or group of foreigners . **** The big foreigner whom
the Chinese had always respected and feared could only look sheepish when some
little Japanese sentry slapped his face until it bled . *****
For Indians and Portuguese the procedure was simplified : the former were
permitted to register with the India Independence League and the latter with
one Dr. Atienza , President of the Japanese-controlled Filipino Association of
Hong Kong .
C. Impersonation of Officials . An element of this confusion which seemed
to exercise some at least of the Japanese authorities almost as much as it did
its victims was the practice among the extortionist gangs of impersonating offi
cers in Japanese employ , either by wearing the uniform of one of the auxiliary
services or wearing a Japanese armband , or by passing themselves off as being
* See enclosure No. 10 for the text of the notice . The Japanese were not uniformly strict
in the issuance of these passes : to escape internment , one G. S. Kennedy-Skipton , in 1940
assistant financial secretary in the Colonial Secretariat and in 1941 controller of food in
the Government Food Control , asserted his Irish citizenship , and assumed neutral status . He
did this for the sake of his wife and children ; for an even less selfish reason , Emily Hahn ,
the writer , assumed Chinese nationality .
** Further instructions to them were contained in a notice issued on February 1 , 1942 , by
the Chief of the General Department , Military Administration Office , which read :
" All Third Nationals are required to obey the following rules :
1 ) Keep within Hong Kong and Kowloon City districts , as far as possible , and avoid any
unnecessary going out at night , that is , from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
2) Do not interview or communicate with enemy nationals without permission .
3) Trips beyond the border are to be avoided . If absolutely necessary , an application ,
with a full explanation , should be made to The General Department of Military
Administration Office , for permission to cross the border .
4) No activities of any sort which would benefit enemies should be indulged in .
HONG KONG NEWS , Feb. 1 , 1942. "
*** See enclosure No. 37 , Hong Kong Government Public Notification No. 6 .
**** See below , Propaganda .
***** When white women were to be raped , the white men were usually bound or bayoneted , or
first one and then the other .
- 43
employed by one of the departments . An order dated March 10 , 1942 , was aimed
at that practice , as well as at direct extortion , and warnings were published
both in the Chinese and English language press . On one occasion these were
directed against a gang of hooligans who were representing themselves as collec
tors of telephone fees . On another against persons claiming connection with the
Army , Navy , or Government and who asked contributions for their good will ; on
yet another against water and electricity " rate collectors " -- no such collec
tors had been despatched and the public were asked to admit no one to their
homes who was not adequately identified .
d. No_More_Fire - crackers. Evidently afraid that the crackle of bursting
fire-crackers might be used as a cover for the actual use of fire-arms , or
might lead to false alarms and public disturbances , an order dated February 11
forbade their further use . *
e. Curfew . The Japanese military at first attempted to keep everyone off
the streets " after dark ; " the hour was then set at 8:00 p.m. By an order pub
lished on March 9 , 1942 , it was extended until 11:00 , ** the ferry service across
the harbor still terminating at 10:00 , as it had for the period when the hour
had been informally extended from 8:00 to 10:00 . The press praised the later
curfew as an evidence that the Japanese Imperial Army looked benevolently on
the revival of Hong Kong's " night life . "
f. " Regulations for Police Punishments . 11 *** The most interesting and
revealing , and at the same time the most concrete regulations issued by the
Gendarmerie in Hong Kong were those published on May 31 , 1942 , to be effective
as of that date . A supplement to an earlier and evidently more general order on
police fines , it is applicable to " all persons living in the areas ruled by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong . " Even Japanese are controlled
by it : " In the case of Nipponese nationals the regulations are applicable to
those cases in which there is no other Nipponese law to be applied . " It then
established a fine of not more than 500 Yen or imprisonment for not more than
three months for seventy- four listed offenses , of which only the last -- " Dis
obeying any other order issued by the police" -- is general . The other seventy
three are evidently purely and simply a list of acts which had been committed
by the populace -- Chinese or Japanese -- with sufficient regularity to make
specific regulations against them desirable . At the same time the fine is high
enough , the term of imprisonment long enough , and the offenses sufficiently
numerous and detailed , to make it possible to arrest , with a show of legality ,
anyone whom the Gendarme Police wanted for any reason to intimidate or take
into custody .
One of the first offenses listed is " making a false statement to officials ,
or refusing to make a statement which is called for . " Several other clauses are
directed at the giving of false information or the making of false reports under
various circumstances . Another covered the familiar offense of " falsely assum
* Leaving the populace without any means of scaring the devils away on the traditional oc
casions for rejoicing . It may have been , however , that all the devils had already fled .
** See enclosure No. 19 , Hong Kong Government Notice No. 5 .
*** See enclosure No. 75 for the complete text of the " Supplement to Governor's Order No.
21 " which lists the offenses ; Order No. 21 itself is unfortunately not available .
- 44 -
ing an official rank or title or a scholastic title , or falsely wearing medals
or orders , or similar matters , with the object of deceiving a third party ."
The eighth item , " interfering with the working or planning of any public
body organized or to be organized for the public benefit , or interfering with
the establishment of such a body , " was aimed at brushing off such obstruction
as was encountered by the Japanese in their organization of the " spontaneous"
groupings through which they effected their control of nearly all phases of
Hong Kong life . *
A number of the strictures are against simple nuisances : "making any un
necessary noise , lying down or getting drunk in place of free traffic ; " " fail
ing to chain up a fierce dog " ; " practicing singing , dancing , music or making any
other noise in the late hours of the night ; " " wearing strange clothing , or talk
ing and behaving in a queer manner , and loitering and refusing an official
order; " " making water in a street , park and other publicly visible place , or
compelling another person to do so ; " " spitting in a street , park and other pub
lic places; " " being naked or acting in a disgraceful manner in a public place . " **
Other items range from unethical business practices " intending to obtain
an unjust profit by inserting a boastful or false advertisement in a newspaper
or magazine " -- to such acts as " deceiving the public with false statements
foretelling good or evil fortune , or supplying the public with charms , or giv
ing people charms to carry on their persons , " and " practicing hypnotism on a
person . " Some of the offenses reflect even more directly the unsettled and un
happy circumstances in which they were being committed : " harboring on one's
premises some young or old disabled , sick persons in need of some help without
reporting them , " or " having dead corpses ( sic ) without reporting them to the
authorities ; " " camouflaging a human dead body , or holding an autopsy , or burying
or cremating without permission ; " " burying or cremating outside of a public
graveyard or cremating place . " ***
Perhaps only one of these regulations was not directly intended to be pro
hibitive in effect , but rather to permit of official extortion : " committing
prostitution , or acting as intermediary in committing prostitution ." There was
never any intention on the part of the Japanese to destroy the Island's most
persistent commerce , and this particular ruling must have been for some purpose
other than its suppression . ****
* Various of these groupings are discussed in subsequent sections of this report .
** With the exception of the " making water " and the " spitting , " practices in which " lower
class " Japanese and Chinese are equally unrestrained , the offenses just mentioned , and es
pecially those of lying down drunk in the street and making noises late at night , were freely
committed by the Japanese but rarely if ever by the Chinese .
***
Anyone interested in the actual conditions in Hong Kong at the time these regulations
were issued might well read them in toto ; it is unlikely that any offenses listed were in
vented by the drafters for their own amusement .
**** Perhaps the geishas imported by the authorities found native competition too severe .
- 45
C. Repatriaton .
1. Purpose . One of the major problems which confronted the British
Colonial Government of Hong Kong in its efforts to defend the Colony was the
swollen state of the city's population . In 1931 there had been 852,932 persons ,
including 20,000 non-Chinese , resident in the Colony . According to an estimate
of the population made as of the middle of 1936 it had then reached 988 , 190 , of
whom 21,832 were non-Chinese . With the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war in
the summer of 1937 , and its envelopment of the Yangtze Valley which followed in
the fall , a very rapid immigration from North and Central China into Hong Kong
began . It continued through 1938 , 1939 , 1940 , and 1941 , with the result that ,
on December 8 of the latter year , when the Japanese attack on Hong Kong began ,
the population of the city was , according to an official of the Colonial Govern
ment , * very close to 2,000,000 . Beyond and above the inevitable complications
following upon so abnormal an accretion in numbers , the population was charac
terized by a further factor increasing its instability : it was highly fluid .
In 1936 prior to the outbreak of Sino-Japanese hostilities and the last
normal year in the Colony's history 2,977,205 persons entered Hong Kong , while
2,987,772 left it in the same period . ** That is to say , a number of persons
totaling roughly three times the whole population of Yong Hong left the port
during the year and an equal number entered it , the daily average of arrivals
being 8,134 and of departure 8,163 . While it is not unlikely that a consider
able percentage of these persons left the Colony to attend festivals , etc. , in
the villages on the mainland and then returned to it , and some perhaps were
simply commuters , these figures do reflect what is unquestionably a fact , i.e. ,
that the Chinese population of Hong Kong was an extraordinarily mobile one .
Nothing approximating a control of this flow was attempted by the British
Colonial Government until 1941 , and then under regulations so lax that the
Government could have only a very inaccurate knowledge of the allegiances , the
composition , or even the number , of the urban mass over which it ruled . ***
Because the Government knew nothing of the newcomers and could not trust
them , and since it could not distinguish between a Chinese who had been in Hong
Kong for a few months and one whose family had lived " on the rock " for three
generations , the permanent base of the population , loyal to Hong Kong and recon
ciled to British rule , was immobilized , even had the Government sought to ex
ploit its unquestioned potentialities for the defense of the Colony . ****
The Japanese , who perhaps understood these things from the beginning better
than did the British , learned well the lesson that they taught : the first essen
tial of an effective defense of Hong Kong was a drastic reduction in the size
of its population .
* Now attached to the British Embassy in Washington .
** ANNUAL REPORT ON THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COLONY OF HONG
KONG FOR THE YEAR 1936 , published by the Hong Kong Government .
*** This situation was not as much the fault of the Hong Kong Government as might at first
appear ; the whole position in Asia was a delicate one , and it is said that Whitehall refused
to entertain proposals for rigid control of exclusion for fear of repercussions in China .
**** As we have seen , prejudice heightened this mistrust , and the resentment which it caused
was only regarded as a further justification for it , so that the gulf of misunderstanding
between the ruler and the ruled widened of itself , and in war a hapless government was
quickly doomed .
- 46 -
Such a reduction would go far to solve other problems incidental to an
over - large population and which had aggravated the difficulties of the defense ,
but which would exist even if the Island were not attacked . It would simplify
the feeding of an Island that had never been self - sufficient in food . It would
eliminate a good part of the demand for non - essential consumer's goods , of which
wartime stocks were low . Housing problems would become less acute ( and the
existing air-raid shelters would be rendered more nearly adequate ) ; the main
tenance of order would be infinitely easier .
It is therefore not surprising that upon their occupation of Hong Kong the
Japanese military authorities took immediate steps calculated to reduce its
population as rapidly as possible to prewar levels .
2. Means .
a . Repatriation Bureau . Shortly after the surrender of Hong Kong ,
and perhaps even prior to the establishment of the Civil Administration Depart
ment of which it was to become a part , a Repatriation Bureau was set up by the
Japanese military to organize the evacuation from the Colony of a considerable
part of its population . Early in January this Bureau was successful in bring
ing about the organization of a Chinese " Repatriation Committee" composed of
representatives of the various district and provincial guilds which had long
functioned in Hong Kong as social and mutual benefit societies for the Chinese
residents of the Colony born in their respective districts or provinces .
meetings of this Committee were held in the presence of Japanese military offi
cers from the Bureau .
Sometime during the first week of January the military authorities issued
through the Repatriation Bureau -- a notice warning that persons in Hong
Kong who had " no employment or place of residence ," or who had to " beg for
their food " should be repatriated to the cities or villages in China from
whence they had come .
b. Function of the Guilds . The agents both of the Bureau and of its tool ,
the Committee , worked through the district and provincial guilds . These organ
izations had in most instances already well-established club- rooms or offices
which were familiarly known to most of the villagers or provincials whom they
represented , and they afforded a quick and natural means of contact with the
majority of those Chinese who still had attachments with their home villages
and who therefore had somewhere to go . Many of them were , as has been indicated ,
mutual benefit societies , and not a few of them were wealthy in their own right .
In ordinary times a native of Toishan who wanted assistance in returning to his
village would be likely to turn to the powerful Toishan Guild without prompting ;
now the existence of such an organization not only greatly facilitated the ex
ercise by the Japanese of pressure aimed at forcing the individual to leave ,
but afforded as well a ready -made means of making the project self - supporting.
The money and property and other vested interests of the guilds were now all
virtually in Japanese hands , and made the guilds peculiarly accessible to Jap
anese control . Norwere the authorities slow to exploit their position : by state
ments in the press , as well as directly through the agents of the Bureau , the
guilds were informed they were expected to " hasten to prepare the way for their
members to return ( to their native districts ) either by land or by sea . "
47
C. District Bureaus . When the outward flow had gotten well started , the
District Bureaus , especially for the Central District in Hong Kong and the more
centrally situated ones in Kowloon , became in practice sub-offices of the Repa
triation Bureau , and from the second half of January on were engaged in issuing
literally thousands of the " repatriation certificates " without which the re
patriates were not permitted to leave . **
d. The Squeeze . An editorial in the HONG KONG NEWS of January 19 , 1942 ,
speaking of repatriation , said :
" Hong Kong has for long been overcrowded with people not normal
ly resident here , who were duped by the Chungking Government into be
lieving that the Japanese were not what they professed to be ; but now
that they have seen with their own eyes the good intentions of Japan ,
they fully realize that they have been listening to nothing but lies
from the Chiang Kai-shek clique . Therefore they are anxious to re
turn to their villages to resume whatever trade or business they had
before they fled , and in this direction the Japanese authorities are
giving them every assistance by providing escorts and means of trans
portation . "
This is correct so far as the overcrowding was concerned , but it was cer
tainly not because " they had seen with their own eyes the good intentions of
Japan " that hundreds and thousands of Chinese were " anxious to return to their
villages . " It was rather because they were caught in a gigantic " squeeze " that
left them with no alternative than to leave in Hong Kong whatever possessions
they might have except only , in most cases , just what they could carry -- and
get out as best they could . They were trapped in the disorder created by the
wholesale looting , gang rule , and rape ; for such public utilities as were gradu
ally restored the Japanese authorities were demanding an exorbitant price; the
cost of everything had increased many fold ; there was not enough rice to eat at
any price . To thousands it seemed a blessing just to get out of it alive , at what
ever cost . Those who had property had in most instances had it sealed ; they
knew that if they left it would be expropriated by the Japanese because they
would not be in Hong Kong to comply with one regulation or another governing its
registration or its management . *** The chances were that they would be leaving
before any bank funds they might have had been " unfrozen " . **** They were abandon
ing whatever they had for a trip that they might well not survive , in the hope
* See page No. 24 above .
** Later the Gendarme Police Stations also issued these permits ; besides such a document ,
the repatriate had to have inoculation and vaccination certificates , and , for some destina
tions , to have been medically examined by one of the staff doctors within 48 hours of his
departure . Two photographs had to be presented with the application for the " repatriation
certificate . "
*** Persons whose residences or other properties had been sealed were ordered to apply to
the Land Office for their restitution ; if they had not done so by the end of February , the
premises were confiscated as " enemy property . " On the other hand , an individual who obeyed
>
the instructions laid himself open to various exactions which might even exceed in amount
the value of the properties affected .
**** Not until January 30 were withdrawals by " non -hostile " Chinese of not more than H.K. $ 50
permitted ; on March 17 it was made possible for them to withdraw up to H.K. $ 150 ; theoreti
cally they could take unlimited quantities of either Hong Kong or Chinese currency out with
them ( it was forbidden to take military yen ) but various financial regulations made possi
.
48 -
of reaching a destination where there would perhaps be no place for them : -
but a planned anarchy and the cunning application of pressure left no choice .
e . When this mass evacuation was first begun the techniques
Routes Out .
were evidently less developed . There are numerous reports of how , in the first
week or so in January . the Japanese military gathered up many of those es
pecially the men -- left homeless by the hostilities , and herded them through
Kowloon and the New Territories , and across the border into the no-man's land
beyond ; if they were seen trying to come back again they were shot . Chinese
troops further north , made suspicious by the circumstances , sometimes shot
those who did not turn back . *
On January 11 the first regular route was opened : two small river vessels
sailed on that day carrying 2,000 persons destined for Pok Cn District and 1,000
for Shikioo ; the HONG KONG NEWS account stated that at Pok On there would be
ferry boats waiting to which those who wished to go to Shikioo or Chungshan
might transfer . The Canton puppet authorities were also supposed to be despatch
ing officials to meet the travellers . A third batch left three days later by
the same route for Shikioo and Tamshui .
January 16 the steamer traffic to Canton was resumed , the SHIROGANE MARU
leaving at 9:00 a.m. from the O.S.K. Wharf. It was followed a few minutes later
by the KAIJU MARU , the two ships carrying 2,000 people between them . Word had
gotten around the day previous ** that tickets would be on sale at the P. & 0 .
Building for 9 Yen lst class , 5 Yen 2d , and 3 Yen for 3d . *** The crush at the
box office was terrific , and on the morning of the sailing , long before the ships
were due to up-anchor , those who had been successful in getting tickets were
lined up in a queue stretching for well over a quarter of a mile , waiting to go
aboard . Later a third ship , the GIYO MARU , was added to this run , and at least
one of the three left every morning at the same hour for weeks thereafter , and
always packed with repatriates .
Meanwhile a thriving junk traffic , also for the benefit of Chinese fleeing
Hong Kong , had sprung up between the Island and Macao . It had been forbidden by
the authorities presumably because it permitted the clandestine escape of
persons who might be wanted by the Gendarmerie but not until January 19 ,
when regular Hong Kong Macao steamer sailings were resumed , did it drop off
markedly . The SHIROGANE MARU and the TEMPO MARU made the opening trip , tickets
which were purchasable at the dock costing 5 Yen for the first class , 3 Yen
for the second , and 2 Yen for the third . This sailing was of course very crowd
ed too , but the Canton trip evidently continued the most popular , there having
been , for instance , ten thousand people lined up along Connaught Road on Sat
urday to buy passage , of whom more than six thousand were there all day Sunday
hundreds and hundreds of people standing in line , or lying on the pavements ,
* Ramon Lavalle , who , as Consul in Hong Kong of the neutral Argentine was able to visit
points in the New Territories which served as stations for evacuees being sent out through
Kowloon , says that they were promised a catty of rice each at the border , but rarely received
it , and when they got beyond the borders were almost invariably set upon and robbed by gang
sters who laid in wait for them .
** Spread by the Japanese ?
*** Aside from the price of the ticket , each repatriate was assessed ( according to whether
he was traveling 1st , 2d or 3d class ) 5 , 3 , or 2 Yen for food for the twenty- four hour wait
ing period imposed by the Japanese authorities in Canton before the boat was permitted to
unload there . Presumably a stool examination was required .
- 49 --
for forty eight hours at a stretch just for the chance to get away . And
people who had tickets would go to the docks the night before the sailing to
sleep there , to be sure that they got a place on the boat : the Japanese often
sold more tickets than there was space .
Later on , in the first part of February , routes by sea were also opened to
Swatow and Chiuchow . On February 20 communications with Kongmoon were for the
first time resumed , to permit persons from the populous Sze Yap district to re
turn by ship to their villages . By the middle of March many more people were
leaving by ship than overland through Kowloon and the New Territories , and the
Kowloon district bureaus ' figures for repatriates showed a sharp drop for the
month of March . **
In April probably reflecting the growing shortage in shipping de
partures by sea began to decline markedly , but since the Japanese desired the
over - all totals for departures to be maintained , the Repatriation Bureau evident
ly " activated " the Chekiang and Kiangsu guilds , influencing the organization of
a " Chediang -Kiangsu Residents ' Association , " which shortly began organization of
the first group of repatriates to make their whole trip by land . On about
April 19 a group of five hundred left under its auspices to return to Shanghai
by land . A second group of three hundred left on May 27 , and a third , of five
hundred , on June 3 . A " Swatow and Chao-chow Natives ' Association " was also
formed , and sponsored the evacuation by land of a number of groups of its mem
bers . The Fukien Provincial Guild served in effecting the repatriation of some
fourteen large groups of Fukienese who travelled on foot and by chair back to
their native province before the end of June . overland movements , and
those by water to Canton and Macao , as well as less frequent ones to Kwong
chowan , have been continuous to date , although the total numbers of those leav
ing in any given period have dropped considerably below the earlier peak .
3. Estimate of Numbers . Because no complete census of the population of
Hong Kong as of December , 1941 , exists , it is not possible to state accurately
the numbers of those whom the Japanese military controlling Hong Kong were able
to evacuate from its territories , but even the lowest of available estimates re
flects the phenomenal success with which their efforts were crowned . According
to an official estimate published on February 4 , 1942 in the HONG KONG NEWS ,
>
250,000 persons had left Hong Kong under " the repatriation scheme instituted
shortly after the first week of January . " If the wording of this report is
precise , the departures during the last three weeks in January must have aver
aged something more than 10,000 a day . A report published in the same paper
two days after , relating the part played by the District Bureaus in Kowloon in
assisting the repatriates , states that " each District has attended to thousands
of applications daily , and it is estimated that 350,000 Chinese from Kowloon
have left . " This suggests that the earlier figure was for the Island alone , but
it is unlikely although certainly not possible
-
that as many as 600,000
C
in all were evacuated in that brief period .
* The same long lines were forming late in March as there had been in the first part of
January . There seemed to be no end either to the numbers of these people or to their patience .
** The Kowloon route had been and was to continue to be one of the most important , however ,
due to its proximity to Chinese territory , in spite of the uninterrupted depredations of
troops and Chinese gangsters .
- 50 --
An estimate from the same source as of February 20 gave the total of those
who had left the Colony since its fall up to that date as 400,000 ; a rough
census of Kowloon taken during the first part of the month and published on
March 10 gave its population as 421,000 as atainst 800,000 prior to the Pacific
War ; according to perhaps more complete figures published some two months later ,
there were 601,778 persons resident on the Island and 472,398 in Kowloon , making
a total population of 1,074,176 as of about the 20th of May , 1942 .
A broadcast from Tokyo in English , of January 20 , 1943 , quoted a DOMEI
despatch of that date from Hong Kong , giving the population of the Colony at
the close of December , 1942 , as 983,512 , of which 972,146 were Chinese , 4,002
Japanese , and 7,364 nationals of third countries .
A TRANSOCEAN broadcast from Berlin on the same day quotes Lieutenant Gen
eral Isogai , Governor of Hong Kong , as having announced , " The Japanese Adminis
tration of Hong Kong plans to reduce the population by another 300,000 ... at
present the population of Hong Kong is 1,000,000 , while the city affords work
and shelter for only 700,000 . "
D. Food Supplies .
1. Rice .
a . Acute Shortage . Hong Kong had always depended almost completely
on imports from beyond the borders of the Colony for its food supply , including
the all- important staple of the Chinese population , rice . In anticipation of
the gravest difficulties should the Island be cut off from its sources of im
ported rice , the Hong Kong Government had required rice dealers to stock up ,
and itself made large rice purchases ; the accumulated supply was many times
authoritatively described as being sufficient for the then population * of the
Colony for a period of at least six months .
According to a report which gained wide currency on the Island shortly
after its capture , and which is probably true , the Japanese military immediate
ly undertook to locate as much of that store as they could , gathered it together
and shipped it to Japan . Such supplies as were subsequently discovered were
sealed or taken directly over . Thereafter only such rice as the Japanese
military were themselves willing to sell , or which they could be persuaded to
unseal so that it might be sold by Chinese dealers , was available to the popula
tion of Hong Kong . For perhaps as much as ten days after the city's surrender
it was impossible to buy rice anywhere , and the suffering of the masses of the
people was terrible .
To check possible rice riots - there were numerous cases of individual and
group assaults , as well as of robbery of places believed to contain stores of
grain - the Japanese authorities opened several grain depots , which were at once
literally swamped with hungry people . of the scene at one of them the Japanese
controlled HONG KONG NEWS in its edition of January 14 , 1942 , says :
* " Very close to 2,000,000 " see above , REPATRIATION .
- 51 -
" Standing three abreast in lines extending from Queen's Road
Central , near the Central Market , to the Queen's Theatre , and along
*
Des Voeux Road from the Asia Company to Queen Victoria Street , * hun
dreds of Chinese were yesterday seen buying rice from one of the sev
eral sales depots that have been established . Each person was allow
ed to buy 40 cents worth , and every conceivable form of container ,
including hats and even a shoe , was used to hold the rice . "
The first reaction to this situation came from the rice merchants , who
held a meeting about the middle of January to discuss means of replenishing
the supply by importations from Thailand and Annam . The HONG KONG NEWS of
January 23 reported that they had presented to the Japanese authorities , through
the good offices of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee , two proposals , one
of which contemplated buying rice with the money that Overseas Chinese in these
areas would normally have remitted to villages in Kwnagtung , shipping the rice
to Hong Kong and selling it , and remitting the money thus realized to the
villages . The second involved an exchange of manufactured products for rice .
For over a month these efforts bore no fruit , but in April it was reported
amongst the Chinese that the Japanese had despatched several of the rice deal
ers to Annam to undertake the purchase of rice , and they presumably went to
Thailand . The first recorded shipment of the precious grain came in on April
15 in a freighter from Thailand ; the story was headlined in the NEWS : - .
" Tangible evidence of the authorities ' concern for the welfare
of the population in Hong Kong was provided by the arrival here on
Wednesday evening of a large consignment of rice from Thailand
This news will be hailed with delight by the public ... This is the
first shipment of rice to arrive here since the occupation of Hong
Kong by Nippon ... The ship was filled to capacity with rice .. It
was also noticed that at the godown in Kowloon large stocks of old
u
rice was still abailable
On May 1 a second shipment arrived . To quote the HONG KONG NEWS of May
3 , 1942 ) :
" The second consignment of rice to reach Hong Kong from Thailand
since the end of hostilities arrived here on Friday afternoon ... This
cargo , which is much bigger than the first consignment that arrived
here recently , consists , it is understood , of several tons of thousands
of bags . With the arrival of this second rice consignment , it is ex
pected that the food problem is now definitely solved , as far as rice
is concerned . "
The rice purchased was evidently of an inferior grade ; with only two ship
ments in almost five months to feed a population of a million people who depend
ed on it as the mainstay of their diet , the demand was such that a smuggling
trade grew up over the borders of the New Territories from China ; that rice too
was altogether insufficient in quantity and low in quality . **
* A total distance of at least ten blocks .
** It was all glutinous : writing to a friend , a Chinese who had left Hong Kong in the fall
of '42 says , " Eating too much glutinous rice has produced a form of malnutrition character
ized by swelling of the feet ( beri-beri- RSW ) . Eighty percent of the people suffer from
- 52
Meanwhile it was persistently reported that the poor in the Colony had in
several localities been reduced to eating human flesh . *
b Rationing Partly as the result of the shortage of shipping and of
other natural elements inherent in Hong Kong's position , and partly through the
deliberate acts of the Japanese military , a situation was being created in which
strict control would be necessary . It is probably not an accident that the
form which this control took - the rationing of rice - was such as to give the
-
military a strangle-hold on the population of Hong Kong that they could not
have acquired in any other way .
With hundreds of people dying every day of starvation , and the rice mer
chants themselves anxious to re-open their shops , the Japanese did not find it
difficult to set up a controlled sales organization . Under the direction of
Colonel Ikemoto , the head of the Economic Section of the Japanese Army in Hong
Kong , sixty rice shops on the Island and forty on the mainland were licensed to
sell rice ; the price was to be sixty Hong Kong cents a catty , ** and each family
was to be limited to two catties a day . On February 5 Colonel Ikemoto called
the managers of the selected shops to a session in the Economic Section of the
Civil Administration Office and gave them a lecture on their functions ; they
were told that the authorities would supply them with the rice to sell ; that
they were to sell fixed quantities at a fixed price , and that they would be
punished " if they abused their instructions for purposes of gain . "
There were many abuses . The people were short-weighted , over-charged , and
cheated in every other conceivable way . Many shops remained closed to the pub
lic , and sold their stocks only to the favored few who could pay twice the price
set . But even if the system had been given an honest trial , it would almost
certainly have failed : there was put into effect no sure way to prevent the
same people from making purchases at several shops on the same day , nor could an
individual who had not been able to make any purchases at all protest against
that fact with any hope of redress or remedy .
It is probable that the Japanese themselves did not intend that this arrange
ment should serve as anything more than a stop-gap ; the Civil Administration
Department had earlier carried out a house to house investigation of the Cen
tral District on Hong Kong Island to discover the number of persons living at each
address , and on the basis of those figures ration cards were issued by the De
partment to persons resident in that area who applied for them . The experiment
was begun on February 20 ; each person was allowed half a catty of rice a day on
a card which showed the number of persons covered by it , the total daily allow
ance , and the period of its validity . After he had received his card from the
Department , the applicant had then to proceed to a designated " main depot, "
where he paid for the quantity of rice to which he would be entitled for the
next five days . Then , on the basis of his receipt for the money , he could go
to one of the six authorized rice shops in the district and reeive one day's
supply -- one - fifth of the amount for which he had paid . The arrangement con
templated his returning each day for the remaining four to receive the rest of
* In a conversation with this writer in June , 1942 , in Hong Kong , an Indian who had been for
years in British employ , but who was at the time in the service of the Japanese , said that
some of his own countrymen were eating babies .
** 1.33 lbs .
- 53 -
the supply which he had purchased . This system involved standing in long lines
at the office issuing the card , at the depot to which payment was made , and
every day at the rice depot to get the actual rice . The Central District Bu
reau received complaint after complaint alleging that the rice depots were re
fusing to honor the recelpts after the money had been paid ; that they were
giving short weight ; that they would issue one day's ration but deny the next
day that they had ever seen the applicant , refusing him the remainder that was
due him , etc. , etc.In response to this outburst , P. H. SIN , the head of the
Bureau issued a pointed statement in the press emphasizing that neither he nor
the Bureau uad any connection with the rationing .
Perhaps as an answer to the criticism of Japanese management implicit in
that statement , SIN was shortly thereafter placed in charge of rationing , and is
said to have suggested the institution of a number of rice rationing depots ,
each to take care of a certain number of people . * This scheme was eventually
adopted , and a complete census of the population was made , on the basis of which
it was decided to establish 57 depots in Hong Kong and 41 in Kowloon , each depot
to take care of the needs of 1,100 houses containing an average of 10 people a
house . Each person was allotted 0.4 catties of rice a day** , and was allowed
three days ' ration at a time ; the price was set at Hong Kong 40 cents a catty . ***
The issuance of rice ration cards was made the responsibility of the va
rious District Bureaus ; each card was divided into ten tickets : each ticket had
stamped on it the due date beyond which it was invalid , the number of the people
covered by it , and the amount of rice which was to be issued against it , and
the personal seal of the individual who had drawn the card . **** The fact
that the rice was to be received every three days was also stated , the dates
being so set that one-third of the population of Hong Kong received rice each
y , *****
.
To maintain a rice supply to the depots , ten wholesale rice shops were
nominated ; each had to cover a certain number of the depots , and the latter
could not purchase rice from any other source .
* It seems more likely that the plan had already been worked out in detail by the Japanese ,
and was publicized as a suggestion of Sin's to make it more palatable to the Chinese and to
provide a non - Japanese scape- goat if it aroused too much opposition . The Germans have re
peatedly used French leaders in the same way .
** This 'quantity was stated by the ( Japanese ) Director of the Civil Administration Depart
ment to be equivalent to that of the ration in Japan . The amount was later increased to
0.64 catties . - RSW
*** Shortly raised to HK 60 ¢ a catty , and then again to HK$ 1.20 a catty . Black market rice
sold at $ 1.80 a catty .
**** It was expected that each card would cover from six to twelve people ; it was issued to
the responsible head of the family or to the senior member of a group . The system went into
effect on March 15 , 1942 .
***** The actual card is described as having been about 5 " wide and 7 " long ; perforated down
the middle , each side was divided by perforations into five tickets , making ten in all , each
having a due date ; every 30 days it was necessary to draw a new card . Of these cards a
Chinese who lived in Hong Kong under the Japanese for eight months says , " They were the most
precious possession that anyone had , next to life itself . The ration their holders could re
ceive was not enough to live on , but their withdrawal meant certain starvation for the persons
from whom they were taken up . "
- 54 -
A Rice Supply Committee was also formed , comprising a Chairman , five
executive officers , and from 12 to 15 other members ; the terms of reference
were four : supply , investigation , examination , and the issue of ration cards .
Being composed of leading rice merchants and under Japanese auspices , it natur
rally was limited to advisory functions in these fields , but it is believed to
have been through this committee that the despatch of rice merchants to Annam
and Thailand was arranged .
Restaurants were also rationed : from six to seven hundred were registered
with the Civil Administration Department to receive daily allotments of rice
directly from it ; they were broadly divided into " large" and " small" restaurants ,
the " large" ones being given one-half bag of rice a day , and the smaller ones
from twenty to thirty catties a cay . These amounts were later changed to per
mit the larger eating houses to purchase 90 catties a day and the smaller ones
40 catties . Both were charged the set price prevailing at the time .
It is interesting to note that although other "third nationals " were
obliged to take out ration cards if they desired rice , both the Indian and
Portuguese communities were given separate and more favorable treatment through
the pro - Japanese groups within each community which the Japanese authorities
were supporting . Dr. Atienza distributed rice rations every morning at the
Club . Lusitano to 1,100 Portuguese ; the India Independence League issued ra
tions to Indians once a week ; those able to pay were asked to do so .
C. Black Market .As has been indicated , the insufficiency of the diet
which rationing permitted gave rise to a widespread evasion of the rationing
controls by smugglers from the mainland , who brought in the cheapest quality of
.
rice for sale in the " black market " in Hong Kong . Many of the rice merchants
in Hong Kong also diverted considerable amounts of the commodity to the black
market because of the much larger profits . But the existence of this market
was no solution : the currency situation was confused , there were no goods
available for exchange , even had the " black market " been regularized ; the
prices were so high that the poorer residents would not have benefited ; if there
was a sufficiency of rice for Hong Kong's population anywhere , it was in the
godowns that the Japanese had taken over .
2. Other Rationed Items :
a . Sugar With the mechanics of rice rationing fairly completely
worked out , the Japanese military turned their attention to other staple com
modities in which famine conditions real or artificial obtained . One
of these was sugar : white sugar had almost disappeared from such markets as
were open in the early months of 1942 , and brown sugar , which had been substi
tuted for it , had also grown scarce . * In June the Economic Section of the
Governor's Office undertook a careful investigation of sugar stocks and con
sumption requirements both in Hong Kong and Kowloon , and on June 13 , some 47 of
the leading sugar merchants were called to a meeting of the Representative Coun
* Meanwhile with the city's capture the Japanese had taken over the 50,000 tons of sugar in
Hong Kong's godowns ; on April 2 , 1942 , Tokyo broadcast that 1,000 tons had already been
shipped to Japan , and that the remaining 49,000 tons would follow it as soon as shipping
was available .
55 -
cil , where they were told that they would be issued sugar from sealed stocks for
distribution to the public . Shortly after that meeting the selected dealers
elected an executive committee from among themselves to serve as a control board
for their commodity under the direction of the Economic Section .
On June 29 , 1942 , 24 distributing stations were opened , 16 located in
Hong Kong and 8 in Kowloon ; each person was allowed 4.8 taels in weight of
sugar per month , the regulation prices being 55 sen ( at the then current rate ,
H.K. $1.10 ) per catty for granulated sugar and 50 sen ( H.K. $1.00 ) for brown
sugar These allotments were issued against the regular rice ration cards .
b. Cooking Oil .
Another item the scarcity of which was sharply felt in
Hong Kong was cooking oil , essential to the preparation by Chinese of their
food . Only infrequent shipments of peanut oil were received from Shuitung in
Kwangtung via Macao , and it and other oils used for cooking purposes were placed
on the rationed list at about the time that sugar was , the individual monthly
allotment being 9.6 taels , and the nominal price set at H.K. $3.20 a catty ,
although with the further devaluation of the Hong Kong dollar , this price was
doubled .
C. Flour .. Flour was originally distributed at the rice ration depots ,
each person being permitted to purchase one catty , and although it had not been
formally rationed by the end of June , 1942 , an investigation of available stocks
and the minimum needs of the community was proceeding , looking to the rationing
of that commodity as well .
3. Unrationed Foods .
a. Efforts to Control Marketing . In the period of confusion which
followed the entrance into Hong Kong of the Japanese soldiery , all markets and
provision stores closed down . Such trade as was gradually resumed was done at
the street stalls that crowded every thoroughfare , or by hucksters who carried
what goods they had to sell around with them . The first efforts of the Japan
ese military to re-open the normal channels of food distribution were directed
at the re-establishment of the numerous markets from which in peace times Hong
Kong had purchased most of its produce . Toward this end the Economic Section
of the Civil Administration Department opened a Public Markets Bureau under one
Yoshio Nakamura as Chief . The Bureau ruled that no stall rent in markets would
be required for a month , and forbade the sale of fish and meat except in mar
kets ; the hawkers might continue to sell vegetables , but only in certain areas .
By the end of February the Bureau was successful in reopening most of the
important markets in both Hong Kong and Kowloon , although considerable street
hawking continued in defiance of the order . In a further initiative the Bureau
was less fortunate : it undertook to set ceilings on prices of all goods sold in
the markets thus re -opened , whether those goods had been supplied to the deal
ers through the Bureau or not . The basis on which the prices were established
allowed the produce man a straight 25% profit , and during the period when these
ceilings were enforced , they effected a considerable reduction in the prices of
several commodities . This was promptly circumvented by Chinese who bought large
quantities of the articles which were available at less than the black market
prices , and re-sold them at the higher rate . The Bureau forbade this practice ,
but was unable to stamp it out , nor in fact to control the original prices of
- 56 -
the commodities , and the attempt to fix the prices of all provisions was appar
ently abandoned .
b. Establishment of Selling Areas . A method which permitted a more ef
fective control of the food distribution machinery was the establishment of
selling areas . In the case of cooking oil , for instance , the Japanese author
ities , who naturally controlled the imports of the raw article ( peanut oil ) as
well as its manufacture in Hong Kong , obliged merchants who wished to take part
in its sale to establish their shops on a designated street . * This idea was a
natural extension of the Chinese tendency , and was applied to the sale of most
important food staples ( the others, being rationed , were already sold through
controlled depots ) .
C. Syndicates . Yet another approach to control was through the forma
tion of officially supported importing syndicates for various foods . A Japan
ese-sponsored meat- importing syndicate was formed in May under one LI Chi-kong ,
who left for Kwangchowan in the first part of that month to make arrangements
for the importation into Hong Kong of pigs , poultry , sheep , and eggs . Later
the formation of a similar syndicate of importers for chickens and geese was
reported , and it is believed that others also were created , as market demands
made profitable or desirable the exploitation of a particular field of food
distribution .
d. New Territories Agricultural Association . The only hope that Hong
Kong has of becoming even partially self-supporting in the production of food
lies in the New Territories beyond Kowloon , where there is an area of cultivat
able land on which some rice and a certain amount of garden truck can be grown .
To exploit these possibilities to the limit the Japanese organized the " New
Territories Agricultural Association ." Its membership is believed to have in
cluded dealers in vegetables in Taipo and some of the land-owners in the ter
ritory ; it provided the Japanese military with a direct means of pushing in,
creased plantings .
e. Prices . The prices of all foods shot up very rapidly after the Japan
ese occupation , the increases ranging generally from 300 percent in the items
least affected to well over 1,000 percent in those in which the rise was more
marked . The basic increase occurred with the establishment of the exchange
rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the Japanese military yen it was at
.
first two to one , and dealers were required to state their prices in yen . Un
certain as to whether the Hong Kong dollar had in fact been devalued , most
dealers simply stated the Hong Kong price in yen ; when this was re-converted
back to Hong Kong dollars again , an automatic increase of 100 percent had been
effected . Scarcity , demand , difficulty in distribution , and the risks involved
quickly doubled and re-doubled the rates of increase . Eggs have sold in Hong
Kong for half a cent ( H.K. currency or about one mill U.S. money ) apiece . For
a long time after the occupation " the hens quit laying , " and when eggs finally
re-appeared the smallest sold at 50 cents apiece , and the established price
later came to be 80 cents apiece . Meat of any kind some of it reputedly
human flesh -- sold for from $6.00 to $ 10.00 a catty , and edible pork and beef
In Hong Kong there were two such districts one in the central section and the other in
Wanchai .
57 '
at $ 12.00 a catty . Chicken was $ 14.00 a catty ; duck , $8.00 ; potatoes , onions ,
and sweet potatoes ( all very difficult to obtain ) around $1.00 a catty ; dried
fish from $3.00 to $5.00 a catty and salted fish from $8.00 to $9.00 a catty .
Butter went from $5.00 a tin ( prior to the war it could be bought for 40 cents )
to $20.00 a tin ; fresh milk , which was 40 cents a bottle before the occupation ,
was unobtainable for a long time after it , and when it came on the market sold
first for 60 cents a bottle and then for $1.20 . ** There tended to be a contin
ual and in some cases a steep rise in these prices , and the most recent informa
tion obtainable on present conditions indicates that it has not yet been check
ed . ***
In a broadcast monitored in New Delhi on December 19 , 1942 , the Governor
of Hong Kong is quoted as having stated in the course of a speech on Hong Kong's
progress that prices were not particularly high and that food was cheaper than
in many places . This statement is , in a comparative sense at least , true ; it
serves as a fitting footnote to any review of food prices in the erstwhile
Colony , because there the fact that prices are prohibitive is not as deadly as
the dominant circumstance : there is not enough food . ****
Es . Commerce and Industry .
1. Means of Control .
a . Effect of the Occupation . As was the case in its effort to
force leading Chinese residents into its service , or to drive half of the popula
tion out , or to institute control of the food supplies , the Japanese military
government was favored in its program for Hong Kong's commerce and industry by
the situation which obtained in the Colony as the result of the hostilities and
of the occupation . All trade had been cut off by the war ; stocks in godowns
seized by the military ; factories that were not dismantled were sealed , their
laboring forces dispersed by repatriation . The physical plant itself was unim
paired , and the Japanese military could do what they wanted with it .
b. Rules and Regulations . Their first step was to make sure that no re
sumption of normal commercial or industrial activities could take place without
their full knowledge and consent . An order evidently issued early in January ,
and reported in the HONG KONG NEWS of January 14 , 1942 , forbade all trading in
goods and valuables , or their release to other places without permission of the
authorities ; it was likewise forbidden to move goods or valuables to , or to im
port goods from , enemy territories .
This order was elaborated in the " Laws for Rule of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong " issued on March 29 .They prescribed an application form which had
to be filled out and approved by the Governor prior to the exportation of goods ;
* The figures given here , all in Hong Kong currency , are taken from two separate Chinese
sources ; they agreed in most instances , and accord well with the writer's own recollections .
** A Chinese housewife who maintained a family group in Hong Kong after it had fallen to the
Japanese states that the simplest meal for five people cost at least ten dollars ; for per
haps 80 percent of Hong Kong's population such a meal would be out of reach .
*** As of May , 1943 .
**** Nor enough firewood to cook it with .
- 58 -
the same form had to be gone through within five days after the importation of
goods ; importers who had not made such a petition and had it approved could not
sell the imported goods or hand them over to a third party .
In the same laws the carrying on of business was similarly hedged about by
regulation and control ; the application had to give the most detailed informa
tion , including " a surface plan of the place of business and a construction
*
plan . " * More important is Item 23 of the Law :
" If the carrying on of a business has been stopped for six months
or more , or if the position of a business is not clear for three
months or more , then such business shall be deemed to have been given
up . "
This provision , and a later one which makes failure to comply with the
regulations touching the carrying on of business and mercantile activities
punishable under military law , was evidently regarded by the Japanese military
as giving them sanction -- if indeed they felt that they needed any -- for the
-
confiscation of the plants of absent or recalcitrant owners .
C. Economic Section . The heart of the organization of Hong Kong's economy
was the Economic Section of the Civil Administration Department of the Japanese
Army . ** Its activities began with the surrender of the city , and there is evi
dence that almost immediate contact was effected with the leading industrialists
and business men who were then in the Colony . *** On January 21 , its Chief ,
Colonel Ikemoto , called a meeting of representatives of all the more important
Chinese firms in Hong Kong to discuss with them the revival of trade . The re
port of the meeting in the HONG KONG NEWS noted that there were representatives
of the military authorities present . Conclusions reached at this meeting were
not stated , but it is believed that it was called in connection with other ini
tiatives of the Economic Section which had earlier been taken through the indi
genous group of Chinese merchants which was to become its principal instrument
in Hong Kong , the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce .
d. Perhaps the first group to contemplate
Chinese Chamber of Commerce .
cooperation with the Japanese after their capture of Hong Kong , **** and cer
tainly the one possessing the greatest material stake in the Colony , the Cham
ber served the Section as what may be called a " control - transmission board , " ****
through it the Section could reach the merchant guilds whose leaders comprised
the Chamber's membership . Every distinct type of trade or commerce in the
* A notification of June 3 , 1942 revokes this latter requirement . See inclosure No. 76 ,
" Public Notification No. 27 " .
** With General Isogai's assumption of the Governorship , it was transferred to his office ,
probably with few if any changes in personnel .
*** This was made simpler by the circumstance that they were in most instances members of
the group of leaders of the Chinese community in Hong Kong who have been rounded up by the
Gendarmerie . See p . 21 above .
**** See p . 18 above .
- 59
Colony in which the Chinese were engaged had -- as in China -- its own guild*
and the latter had its representative in the Chamber ; institutionally it could
not have been better adapted to the purposes for which the Japanese employed it .
Various press references illustrate this function . A report of January 14
states that :
" The Chinese Chamber of Commerce called a meeting of represen
tatives of the various business guilds yesterday for the purpose of
discussing proposals to submit to the Japanese authorities for the
reopening of business in the Colony .
" There were over fifty persons present , and Mr. TUNG Chung -wei,
Chairman of the Chamber , spoke to them of the necessity of reopening
business and invited them to forward any suggestions in this direc
tion . **
" Matters dealt with included public safety , rice , and currency ,
and suggestions were made to ask the Japanese authorities to release
goods which had been sealed and to open more centres for the sale of
rice .
" The proposals adopted will be submitted to the Japanese author
ities to-day for consideration , it is understood . "
On January 24*** the Economic Section asked the Chamber to submit proposals
for the revival of business in Hong Kong , asking at the same time six specific
questions : ( 1 ) How did they propose to import goods ? ( 2 ) How did they propose
to transmit money to the exporters ? ( 3 ) How would they go about re-starting
their businesses ? ( 4 ) How was the allocation of shipping space to be arranged ?
(5) What suggestions did they have ( presumably on any subject ) ? and ( 6 ) What
arrangements were they prepared to make anent the release of stocks in godowns ?
The Chamber submitted its reply on January 27 . **** The first two essen
tials , it said , for the revival of business in Hong Kong were : ( 1 ) the re-open
ing of shipping communications , and ( 2 ) the immediate release of stocks from the
godowns . It added certain observations : ( 3 ) Hong Kong's business was usually
done with North China , Central China , and South China , as well as with other
countries ; ( 4 ) Tokyo might serve as the financial center of this trade , with
Yen as the medium of exchange ; Hong Kong notes should be accepted at par with
the Yen until trade could be restored , when a new currency could be issued for
the whole area under Japanese control ; ( 5 ) the import of goods into Hong Kong
* The admittedly incomplete figures given in the " Report on Labour and Labour Conditions in
Hong Kong" compiled by the Labour Officer and issued on April 11 , 1939 , show the number of
" Associations" to have been around 300 , with a membership of 111,400 ; of these , 28 were
stated to be merchants ' guilds and the same number craft guilds . It seems likely that there
were actually as many as fifty guilds classifiable as " trade guilds . "
** TUNG was an early " Co - operator ," and at this meeting he appears to have been acting on clear
instructions .
*** HONG KONG NEWS , January 25 , 1942 .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , January 28 , 1942 .
60 -
should be tax - free ; ( 6 ) there should be an increase in the number of ships ply
ing between Hong Kong and Japan Formose - Thailand Annam ; ( 7 ) banks should
be re-opened ;; ( 8 ) the public should be afforded better protection ; and ( 9 ) the
charges for electricity and water should be reduced . *
As the result of the discussions which followed this reply , the Chamber was
authorized to notify the various Chinese firms in Hong Kong that had goods in
the Colony's godowns that they should submit to the Chamber detailed lists of
those goods , which that body would in turn submit to the Japanese authorities
with a view to securing the release of the goods . Merchants concerned were
obliged to join the Chamber ; a form was supplied ; it had to be completed , sealed
with the firm's chop , and in the hands of the Chamber , not later than March 24 .
A HONG KONG NEWS article of March 30 on the subject says , " The Chamber has re
ceived an enormous
enormous ni
number of applications for the release of goods . If the
authorities agree to the release , it is estimated that there will be sufficient
material to last a long time . " **
There was no subsequent press statement on this subject giving the deci
sion reached ; an article of April 10 stated that the release of the stocks was
under consideration ; that the Kowloon , China Provident Loan and Mortgage Com
pany , and Wing On godowns were to be reopened .
Manufacturers Union . The services which the Chamber performed for
e .
the Japanese in the field of Hong Kong's commerce , the so-called " Chinese
Manufacturers ' Union " carried out for them in industry . *** The first reference
to the " Union " appeared in the press on March 26 , 1942 , in an article which re
ported that that organization was taking an inventory of the stocks of facto
ries in Hong Kong and Kowloon . All factories were asked to submit particulars
of their property to the Union at its office on the second floor of the China
Building . Forms for the purpose had already been sent out to the factories ; when
the particulars were completed the information would be forwarded to the au
thorities .The article estimated that there were approximately 400 factories ,
large and small , in the Colony , of which over 300 were already " members " of
the Union .
The same article hinted at an even further development of the Union which
the Japanese were evidently contemplating : factory owners belonging to it were
alleged to be considering the manufacture of goods by it on a co-operative
basis , the Union to buy the materials and sell the goods manufactured therefrom
on behalf of the factories .
* This is perhaps a good example of the type of cooperation the Japanese receive in Hong
Kong even from those Chinese who sincerely prefer Japanese to British rule : they accept
their situation and hope to make as much of it as they can .
** The lists forwarded by the Chamber to the Japanese are stated to have included a great
variety of goods : piece-goods , glassware , tea , chinaware , electrical equipment , peanuts ,
chemical products , matches , machinery , tinned goods , building material , gasoline , motor - car
parts , paper , wine , stationery articles , woollen goods , gunny bags , rice , flour , precious
metals , dyes , leather , rubber goods , silk , foreign medicines , preserved sea food , candles ,
salt , tobacco , sugar , printing materials , and materials for railway construction .
*** There is believed to have been a Chinese Manufacturers ' Association in existence prior
1
to December 8 , 1941 , but the "Union " seems to have been formed at the instance of the Japan
ese .
- 61 -
O
By March 30 over 200 factories , involving a capital of nearly $ 20,000,000
and employing approximately 30,000 workers , had filed the desired particulars
with the Union , " with a view to asking the authorities for assistance in the re
sumption of operations . " * The factories reportedly covered by these inventories
had been engaged in the manufacture of a wide range of products . The catego
ries and numbers of the factories complying were given in full as :
Number Number of
Category Factories Capital Workmen
Preserved Ginger 8 $ 124,901 155
Paint 6 355,800 206
Glass 1 5,000 40
Confectionery and
Biscuits ง
งต 7 644,700 433
Electrical Supplies 15 2,028,900 2,560
Silk Weaving 7 2,231,300 129
Knitting 20 735,400 2 , 251
Cotton Thread 1 10,500 64
Leather 12 158,600 282
Batteries 10 298 , 100 1,308
Metal Products 15 2,290,800 7,280
Rubber 11 1,827,500 4,845
Dyeing 9 138,000 335
Perfumeries 4 2,057 , 200 281
Nails 1 200,000 114
Bakelite 1 30,000 32
Gourmet Powder 5 2,309,000 300
Canned Goods 3 735,500 410
Shirts 1 10,000 98
Cigarettes 2 115,000 193
Stationery 3 133,600 362
Cans 1 50,000 79
Needles and Buttons 1 350,000 252
Medicine 2 45,000 291
Firecrackers 1 165,000 550
Mosquito Destroyers 2 85,200 76
Printing 12 1,401,700 1,388
Carbon 4 77,000 98
Tooth Brush 1 4,000 34
cloth Weaving 40 391,800 3,760
Miscellaneous 12 935,600 1,176
Grand Total : 218 $ 19,934,600 30,153
The official of the Union who is stated to have given out this information ,
is also quoted as having stated that the numbers of workmen given did not in
clude casual labor , and that there were still some factories which had not
registered . **
* HONG KONG NEWS , March 30 , 1942 .
** The figures would , however , probably include all of the large ones , since under the sys
tem above described , they would find it difficult to avoid registration . It should also be
noted in connection with these figures that they very likely considerably understate the
capitalization of the various factories , since the Chinese owners might reasonably fear
62-
On April 2 it was reported that the seven artificial-silk weaving factor
ies in Hong Kong were " considering" forming a sub-committee under the Chinese
Manufacturers ' Union to seek the assistance of the Japanese authorities .
factories were said to be capable of producing 250,000 yards of artificial silk
a month , but were practically out of operation , since they had only 85,000 lbs .
of material on hand and 147,600 lbs . in godowns . This stock would only last
them for some eight months ; they planned that if their petitions for its re
lease were successful , they would also ask the authorities to make arrangements
to procure further supplies from Japan or Italy . Their markets had previously
been in the South Seas , the West Indies , and West Africa ; the last two of these
areas were now cut off , and they therefore hoped that the authorities would
assist them to new markets in the south , in China , and in Indo-China .
2. Exploitation .
a. Bribery The ways which the Japanese found to exploit the control
which they had gained were characteristic . A shop or factory owner or company
manager who had complied with the requirements , and submitted detailed state
ments of his business and the stocks which he had stored , was obliged then to
buy the privilege to resume operations . There was no fixed charge or tax , the
amount demanded appeared to depend on the particular Japanese * official with
whom the Chinese was dealing and on the relative wealth of the firm . In many
cases these exactions were so high , and repeated so many times on so many dif
ferent pretexts , that the Chinese business man just gave up and got out of the
Colony as best he could .
b. The godown stocks of firms which did not comply
Disposal of Stocks .
with the requirements regarding a statement of amounts and values , etc. , and
those of Chinese business men who were unable to support the continual demands
for bribes * were confiscated by the Japanese authorities and disposed of as
they saw fit . The HONG KONG NEWS of May 12 , 1942 , printed a statement inviting
" applications for supply" from people and firms engaged in certain trades , or
dealing in specified goods . The list of trades and goods was fairly inclusive ,
comprising , among others , foremen , tailors , building contractors ; paper , metal
ware , food , electrical equipment , watches , typewriters , and sundry goods . Ap
plicants were required to furnish a statement of their qualifications and also
give details of their capital equipment and the number of workmen available .
But with or without invitation , it was possible for an entrepreneur who could
deal with the Japanese to enter almost any line that they were interested in
pushing .
c . Japanese Partners . Items 26 and 27 of the " Law " facilitated the forma
tion of partnerships , a suggestion which was readily received by those Chinese
firms which had so large a plant in Hong Kong that they felt that they could not
totally abandon their interests ; under the pressure of continued exactions and
the numerous regulations , many of them turned their companies into partnerships ,
giving a considerable share of the business to a Japanese .
* Their experience in Hong Kong has led many a person , Chinese and foreign alike , to believe
that there is nothing a Japanese would not do for a sufficient bribe .
63
d. Japanese Firms . More frequently , however , the Japanese simply took
over the physical plant and ran it themselves , with the assistance in many in
stances of experts brought in from Japan . * The Hong Kong Hotel was taken over
by the Navy , and its management placed in the hands of an ex -manager of the
Imperial Hotel in Tokyo who was brought out of retirement to undertake the task .
The Army took over the Peninsular and Gloucester Hotels , bringing in Japanese
managers for both of them . The Governor's Office ( regarded as " Army , as
against " Navy " in the rivalry between the two ) took possession of the Dairy
Farm , . restocked it with a new herd of cows and ran both it and the Dairy Farm
Restaurant . In the latter it sold food at prices with which private Chinese
restaurant owners could not compete . The Navy expropriated the houses along
Blue Pool Road , as well as the modern St. Joan's Apartment House on MacDonald
Road . The Governor's Office took over the apartments -- perhaps the most at
tractive in Hong Kong along May Road . **
A Japanese from Canton who was serving as the head of the Gendarmerie Tiao
Ch'a Tui ( Investigation Corps ) is reported to have been given control of the
Nanyang Tobacco Company , which he promptly put into operation . The British -Am
erican Tobacco Company was reported to have been reorganized under Japanese
management , with many of the original staff re-employed , and also to be manu
facturing cigarettes . ***
Six of the great Japanese shipping companies , including Nippon Yusen
Kaisha , the Osaka Shosen Kaisha , and the Dairen Kisen Kaisha , made formal appli
cation for permission to carry on business in Hong Kong , and were granted it on
May 19 , 1942 . On May 22 a Mr. Kusumoto was permitted to take over a local bean
curd factory to produce that commodity for the Japanese Army , for military hos
pitals , and for general use ; one T. Imura , the Manager of the Honda Company in
Wanchai , was supplied with a stock of wines , foodstuffs and sundries with which
to run a large store ( on supplies looted from the old Caldbeck , MacGregor & Co. ,
Ltd. ) for the sale of those items ; a Japanese enterprise was granted permission
to take over the premises of the Cecil Hotel to run there a factory for the man
ufacture of cakes and biscuits ; one U. Hayashi was allowed to open a Japanese
bar , etc. , etc. The On Lok Aerated Water Manufacturing Company was stated to be
about to resume operations , also presumably under Japanese management . On June
10 the HONG KONG PRESS noted other firms that were to re-open : Sakura & Com
pany , under one T. Sakura ; Hiraoka & Company , large importers of newsprint and
paper ; Ido & Company . The commerce and industry of Hong Kong was thus being
turned over more and more into Japanese hands .
* A DOMEI broadcast from Tokyo in December , 1942 , said , " Hardly has the smoke of fire clear
ed and the thunder of guns become still when a well-organized army of engineers and techni
cians goes into action in order to ( hasten ) its work of reconstruction ( of Hong Kong ) . "
** Much of this information is based on statements made by a Chinese informant . It has not
been possible to corroborate all the details , but the writer has no doubt of its general
reliability , since it accords with his own observations and with statements in the Japanese
controlled press .
*** A very lucrative enterprise in Hong Kong : prices sky- rocketed with the fall , and cigar
ettes that could be bought before December 7 for ten or twelve cents for a package of ten
now sold for from ten to twenty cents a piece .
- 64
3. State of the Trade .
a. Shops . An observer who had lived for some months in Hong Kong after
the surrender said of it , " The Japanese have taken everything over and the place
>
is dead . " The first part of this statement would appear to be truer than the
second : allowing for the effects of the war on the island's economy , reports
indicate that there is still a considerable amount of trade within the city ;
a large percentage of the shops are stated by a Chinese then resident there
to have been re-opened , albeit under new management . *
b . Restaurants . The most flourishing enterprise in Hong Kong since the
Japanese took over has been the restaurant business . Eating houses sprang up
like mushrooms everywhere as soon as the Colony began to adjust to Japanese rule ,
and although the terrible rice shortage and the scant supply of other foods has
been a continuing problem , most of the restaurants appear able to carry on .
C. Companies A fair percentage of the corporations and limited compa
nies which were originally Chinese- controlled have evidently resumed business or
been reorganized under the Japanese . The insurance companies are an example :
in the spring of 1942 they formed -- probably at the instance of the Japanese --
an insurance association , and toward the middle of June four of the association's
members were re-opening ; the Ta'i Ping , Sincere , Hong Min , and Wing On Insu ance
Companies . They were to deal in fire insurance to cover godowns , firms , fac
tories , houses and furniture . An increase of $2.50 a thousand was state to
have been made in their rates .
d. An article in the HONG KONG NEWS of May 25 , 1942 , stated
Factories .
it to be the policy of the Japanese authorities to allow the re-opening ( or
themselves to re-open ) factories making foodstuffs ; next in importance they
placed textile factories ; those using metals would be obliged to wait , they
said . From their point of view , and given the situation in which they found
themselves , this program was a very logical one ; they needed foodstuffs not only
for their troops but to supply the minimum requirements of the laboring popula
tion employed on their various projects , as well as of the Japanese managers and
technicians who were directing them . Textiles were necessary for clothing , and
any excess could be disposed of in barter ; whatever metal was available in or to
the Colony had to be used in the repair or building of ships , and could not be
dissipated in the manufacture of peace-time articles , however useful they might
be .
The Japanese therefore pushed the re-opening of all types of food -manufac
turing shops and plants . Hong Kong's bakeries were among the first of its fac
tories to resume operations ; plants processing cooking oils , etc. , shortly fol
lowed them . The cpening or re -opening of factories to produce other necessi
ties for the Japanese Army, like soap and toilet articles , also proceeded at a
forced pace .
*
Among the earliest to re-open their doors were the " Big Four , " Sun Co. , Sincere's , Wing
On's , and the China Emporium . One of the first acts of the Japanese military in Hong Kong
was to order an inventory of their stocks and force them to resume business .
- 65
Another factory whose resumption of operations is unquestionably of consid
erably greater significance than appears on the surface is the Green Island
Cement Company . It was reported on January 1 , 1943 , to be in production
probably under the Japanese Army with an indicated annual output of cement
C
of 60,000 tons . Under the original British management which had built it , this
factory , with a large , modern plant , had yet been unable to compete with the
cement manufactured at less cost by the Japanese and shipped into the Colony . In
the years prior to Pearl Harbor it had been kept in operation on orders from the
Hong Kong Government for cement to use in the construction of military roads
and of defense works . The paucity of Japanese shipping has now again made the
operation of the plant desirable , and from the reports received of the exten
sive defense works being built by the Japanese in the " Captured Territory ,"
it seems almost certain that the cement produced is being used for the same
purpose that the British used it : the fortification of Hong Kong .
Japanese propaganda and news broadcasts describing the " vigor " with which
Hong Kong's "light and heavy industries" are " regaining their normal activities
of pre-war days " are unquestionably exaggerated and should be accepted with re
serve , but in this instance at least sound caution requires that they be care
fully considered . * One such broadcast -- of October 17 , 1942 , from Tokyo --
reports a continuous flow of raw materials from the South into Hong Kong , and
quotes some surprisingly high production totals : approximately 500,000 pounds
of Manila hemp were being produced , and 250 tons of sugar being refined , daily ;
a daily production of 18,000,000 cigarettes would be tripled when more tobacco
arrived from Burma ; 72,000 bottles of beer were being turned out daily by local
breweries , the announcer alleged . **
Another typical report , perhaps more immediately credible , was that broad
cast from Tokyo on December 3 , 1942 , claiming that the arrival of rubber deliv
eries from Malaya had made it possible for " a number of rubber factories in Hong
Kong to resume operations . " It is known that Japan has now an over - supply of
rubber , and it seems logical to assume that they would put the otherwise idle
rubber factories of the Colony to work processing it and turning out some of the
numerous and necessary articles of which it is the basic material .
The review of this and other available evidence covering the present state
of Hong Kong's factories thus leads us to the one construction of it which ap
pears reasonable : they are performing acceptably the functions which the Jap
anese have assigned to them .
e. Import and Export Trade. Overland trade through the Taipo Market in
the New Territories stopped only during the brief fighting on the mainland , and
with the passage of the months after the surrender , it achieved a greater and
greater importance . The scarcity of shipping made it the channel for more and
more of the trade from the interior of Kwangtung , which otherwise would have
followed coastal or inland waterways , and Hong Kong's growing black markets
were largely fed by goods smuggled through it .
* Certainly they are nearer the truth than reports of another type , which in so critical an
hour would lull us to sleep with stories of how embarrassed the Japanese are now that they
find themselves burdened with potentially the world's richest empire !
** As has been suggested , the writer believes these figures to be more nearly correct than
they appear at first glance . RSW
- 66 -
Trade by river vessels with Canton continued , as did that by steamer and
junk with Macao , Kwangchowan , and points along the coast of southern Kwangtung.
Communications by water with Swatow were infrequent ; there is trade with Shanghai
and the south , but the extent of neither is known , the infrequency of the vital
ly necessary rice shipments indicating that that with the south is either quite
limited or strictly " rationed " by the ruling Japanese to serve other purposes
than that of feeding their starving subject peoples .
The restrictions on import and export trade by individuals or private firms
1
evidently were in force in the late fall of '42 , and probably still are .
A radio intercept of a Japanese- controlled Hong Kong broadcast in October , 1942 ,
relates that the merchants in the Colony had asked the Government to clarify
the types of goods permitted to be exported and those which were prohibited ;
the Government had answered that the best system for the merchants to follow
was to " state full particulars on goods available for export and seek the advice
of the Hong Kong Trade Department. "
These regulations left the flow of trade completely under the control of
the experts of the Trade Department , but -- however much we or the Chinese mer
chants of Hong Kong would like to believe to the contrary they did not cut
it off completely , and official manipulation appears to have been successful in
building up a large volume of what may be called " controlled exchange" in lieu
of it . This altered form of trade takes place under a series of agreements
which have been concluded between the Japanese economic authorities in Hong
Kong and those similarly situated in other Japanese-controlled territories ;
they appear to be essentially barter arrangements covering a limited number of
essential items and operable over a limited period of time . Such agreements were
concluded with Shanghai , Swatow , and Canton ; that with the latter was described
in a broadcast from Tokyo on December 16. The agreement had just been concluded ,
the report said , between the representatives of Canton and Hong Kong ; it would
become effective on January 1 , 1943 , and would be valid for three months . Under
this arrangement , Tokyo said , the " traders of both cities may conduct direct
transactions, " i.e. , " they could trade goods . "
A report from Europe --
from the other end of the Axis -
indicates that a
similar pact had been made with the Japanese authorities in the Philippine
Islands ; it stated that Hong Kong had received ( early in December , 1942 ( ? ) ) the
first shipments of sugar , hemp , and copra from the Philippines under an agree
ment which provided that the Islands were to receive cigarettes , medicaments ,
and industrial goods in exchange ; balances remaining from barter transactions
might be settled in cash . The report added that the Colony was negotiating a
similar agreement with Formosa , whence Hong Kong would obtain coal , charcoal ,
tea , vegetables , and industrial goods . A later Tokyo broadcast asserted that
it was planned to extend this barter system to cover Hong Kong's trade relations
with " Manchukuo , North , and Central China . "
F. Finance .
1 .
. Currency
a. Hong Kong Notes . Readers of the first section of this re
port will recall that when Japanese trocps had affected their landing on Hong
- 67
Kong Island , and it was already clear that the defense was collapsing , Japanese
aeroplanes dropped propaganda handbills over the city , one lot of which informed
the populace that when the Japanese had taken the city all Hong Kong notes above
the value of $ 10 would be worthless . This warning had the effect desired : the
Chinese began hoarding the smaller notes , creating so sharp an artificial
scarcity of them as to tie up what trade existed ; notes above the ten dollar
denomination began to be accepted by Chinese shops , etc. , only at a discount .
When the city fell , the Japanese kept their promise , and until January 14 ,
the circulation of Hong Kong notes of which the face value was more than $25
was forbidden . On that day a notice was issued in the name of the Commander
in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Army in Hong Kong , which read :
" The public is hereby notified that , in spite of previous noti
fication prohibiting circulation of Hong Kong dollar notes , of which
face value is more than $25 , as a temporary measure after the occupa
tion of Hong Kong by his Imperial Japanese Majesty's Army , in consid
eration of the public convenience , Hong Kong dollar notes of the
above face value ( viz . $25 , $50 , $100 , $500 ) are now permitted cir
culation for the time being as well as those of not more than $ 10 . "
A suspicious public noted that the larger notes were permitted circulation
" for the time being ; " the press article reporting the new order in the Japan
ese-controlled press said also that the larger Hong Kong notes could only be
exchanged for smaller ones , and not for military yen . The result was that the
larger notes were even less acceptable than before ; while the banks and any
other agency that could do so was making payments in the larger notes ( to get
rid of them ) , the more well- to-do Chinese who had hoarded considerable quanti
ties of cash in that form against just such a situation as now existed suffered
great hardships . A $100 note , when it could be exchanged at all , would not
bring more than from $60 - $75 in small notes ; the larger notes could be cashed
only at relatively greater discounts , and very rarely even then .
Nevertheless Hong Kong notes continued to be regarded by the Chinese as a
relatively secure cache of value : it was reported that they were amply backed
in London by the head offices of the Hong Korg Shanghai Banking Corporation ,
which would honor them there .To destroy this confidence the Japanese forced
the issuing banks in Hong Kong to sign new issues in unknown amounts : these
notes were of course totally unsupported , and could not be readily distinguished
from the original and valid Hong Kong notes . Their value was thus forced down
until , from the first par set by the Japanese military of two Hong Kong dollars
for one military yen , they were devalued in August , 1942 , by fiat of the author
ities to four to one , and subsequently were made worthless as legal tender in
the Colony
b. Military yen . It is one of the oldest tenets of military science that
an invading army must support itself insofar as possible on the territories which
it occupies . In our time this is accomplished by a very simple device : the
issuance of military scrip which is " legal tender " only in the particular terri
tory for which it is issued , and which is not exchangeable even for the curren
cy of the home country of the issuing forces . The system is one which the Jap
anese evidently adopted from the Germans ; it has been used in each of the areas
- 68
of China occupied by the Japanese , and was applied immediately upon their occupa
tion of Hong Kong . There they issued a form of military yen printed only on one
side , and without serial number , on the cheapest paper , This currency was
given a value of twice that of Hong Kong money , and its acceptance at that rate
was forced upon the people of the Colony .
The printing of this paper made the looting of Hong Kong " legal ; " those
Japanese who disdained outright theft could always " pay" for what they took ;
and the Hong Kong money which they displace with this spurious currency they
could hold over the currency market ; from that time on to redeem Hong Kong cur
rency would only have been to provide the Japanese a further profit .
2. Banks .
a. Withdrawals . With the occupation of Hong Kong , all banking es
tablishments closed their doors awaiting the instructions of the occupying
forces . This circumstance , together with the devaluation of the larger Hong
Kong notes and the hoarding of the smaller ones , caused a very tight currency
situation . To relieve it , " in consideration of the livelihood of the people , "
neutral nationals and " non -hostile " Chinese who had current or savings accounts
sufficient to cover the amount in one of two named foreign banks or four named
Chinese banks , were allowed to withdraw Hong Kong $50 ; these withdrawals were
only possible for the three days from January 29 to 31. * Very few people took
advantage of this first opportunity , probably because they suspected that the
Japanese had some other motive .
On February 6 a number of Chinese banks were authorized to permit withdraw
als of not more than Hong Kong $300 by individuals , and of amounts reckoned at
Hong Kong $50 for each employee by firms which had secured the approval of the
Economic Section of the Japanese Army to make such withdrawals for " office main
11 * *
tenance . Neither individuals or firms could withdraw Chinese currency .
A further payment " to maintain their living conditions only " in amounts not
exceeding $ 150 was permitted for a period of three days from March 18 to 20 in
clusive . *** Withdrawals of $200 were permitted from a Kowloon branch of a for
eign bank for a similar three day period . ****
A fairly liberal policy was followed in the opening of safe deposit boxes ;
a series of notifications made public the set times when persons having valuables
in safe deposit at the various banks might withdraw them ; ***** failure to appear
at that time forfeited the contents of the box . It had to be opened before in
spectors from the Gendarmerie and the Financial Section , but complete withdraw
als stated to have been generally permitted , except of notes and currency of
enemy counries . ****** Enemy nationals were not permitted to avail themselves
of this privilege , although repatriated Americans were in most cases allowed
access to their boxes before they left .
* See enclosure No. 12 , Order of the Commander-in-Chief , January 27 , 1942 .
** See enclosure No. 14 , Japanese Army Economic Bureau Notice .
*** See enclosure No. 27 , Hong Kong Government , Notice No. 10 , March 16 , 1942 .
**** See enclosure No. 28 , Hong Kong Government Notice No. 11 , March 22 , 1942 .
***** See , for example , enclosure No. 39 , Hong Kong Government Public Notification No. 13 ,
April 7 , 1942 .
****** Gold bars and coins were retained .
69
b. Liquidation . By a public notice issued April 8 , 1942 , the Japanese
authorities denominated certain listed banks , among them the National City
Bank , the Chase Bank , the American Express Company , and the Hong Kong Shanghai
Banking Corporation as enemy banks , and stated that they were to be liquidat
.
ed , *
Although the preliminary steps looking to this liquidation had been taken
by the Economic and Finance Sections of the Civil Administration Department of
the Japanese Army , and a check on outstanding accounts had been begun , the ac
tual liquidation was finally turned over to officers of the Bank of Taiwan and
the Yokohama Specie Bank , several of whom had evidently been brought to Hong Kong ,
for that purpose . The foreign staffs of the banks were not interned , but were
kept under guard in a Chinese hotel in down-town Hong Kong , being escorted to
and from work every day by armed gendarmes . They undertook much of the work of
the various interim payments which were made to depositors , and on April 18
all of the banks being liquidated opened for a period of two weeks to allow all
clients , including enemy nationals , to file with the liquidators a statement of
their claims against each bank . ** In the casting of accounts both of the Ameri
can banks were discovered to be highly liquid , whereas the assets of several of
the other banks were described as being advances against local shares which were
now worthless , against merchandise in godowns which was probably now in Japan
and to large local concerns which no longer existed . Although the managers of
the American banks sought to have the accounts of each bank settled separately ,
so that they might make as high a payment as possible against their liabilities ,
the Japanese military authorities decided to create a liquidation pool , and to
make as high a percentage payment out of that pool as could be realized from
the total sum available from all the banks together . This was done , and on
June 15 , the banks being liquidated paid all accounts up to H.K. $500 , including
those of the Americans being repatriated , plus a dividend of 20% of the re
maining amount . ***
On June 16**** it was announced that the four large pro-Chungking banks in
Hong Kong were also to be liquidated : the Central Bank of China , the Farmer's
Bank , the Bank of Canton , and the Manufacturers Bank of China . The Chief of
the Financial Section issued a statement **** explaining this action , in which
he said , inter alia :
" Based on the decided policy of Nippon , stern measures should
have been taken against these banks , which should not have been per
mitted to continue to operate here . However , these pro-Chungking
* See Enclosure No. 38 , Hong Kong Government Public Notice No. 7 .
** See Enclosures No. 41 and 42 , notices of the liquidators , ' requesting all those having
claims against the listed banks to file them between the 13th and 27th of April or forfeit
them .
*** See Enclosures No. 65 and 66 , notices published May 14 , 1942 , of special payments up to
HK $500 of all deposit liabilities in addition to current and savings accounts ; enclosures
Nos . 87 and 88 of June 12 , 1942 , stating that the undermentioned banks would open to pay the
first liquidation dividend of all Hong Kong dollar deposit liabilities . Persons who had not
drawn the $ 500 under the notice of May 14 could do so now , the dividend to be payable on the
balance .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , June 16 , 1942 .
- 70
banks were permitted to operate after the war because of the serious
state of the livelihood of the people then Now that peaceful
conditions have been restored ... it is thought that appropriate ac
tion should also be taken against the pro-Chungking banks which are
known for their enemy activities before the war. "
The liquidation of these four banks was carried out on the same basis as
that for other enemy banks , except that recent depositors were fully protected .
The refunding of up to 20% of the outstanding amounts in these banks is reported
to have been begun on October 22 .
A DOMEI radio report of December 11 , 1942 , broadcast from Tokyo , states
that the Governor of Hong Kong had announced the suspension , as of December 31 ,
of further payments on the various deposits in the sixteen enemy banks in Hong
Kong . Deposit payments were described as having been almost completed ; but
whether they were or not , this action ends the liquidation .
C. Chinese When the Japanese military took over Hong Kong , the Economic
Bureau ( or Section ) of the Japanese Army counted the cash in the tills of some
22 Chinese banks , checked their accounts , and then issued a notice* " permitting "
them to reopen , but limiting their withdrawals to H.K. $300 per account per month
on pre-December 25th balances . ** New accounts could be opened without restric
tions on withdrawals . These banks were not permitted to make loans , and as
there was no bank- financed import or export trade , their business was limited
to receiving and paying deposits .
d. Japanese Branches of the leading Japanese banks , closed on the out
break of the Pacific War , were re-opened in Hong Kong with its capture by the
Japanese . The Yokohama Specie Bank and the Bank of Taiwan appeared during the
period under review to be taking over , with the experts attached to the Finance
Section of the Governor's Office , the direction of what remained of Hong Kong's
financial life .
e . Associations . There were not lacking the familiar organizations through
which such direction could be clothed in a similitude of spontaneity : a revived
Chinese Bankers Association met on April 3 to elect the Japanophile LAU Tit
shing as their new Chairman and LI Tse- fong as Vice Chairman ; the new executive
committee was to consist of five members .
Another association and one which has no parallel in pre-war Hong Kong
was a Chinese Bank and Money Changers Co-Operative Association , the purpose
of which was said to be to improve relations between the banks and the money
changers , so that full co-operation could be afforded the Government .
f. Gold_and Silver Exchange . A report in the HONG KONG NEWS of February
20 , 1942 stated that " the authorities took a further step to stabilize the finan
cial and economic position of Hong Kong yesterday , when a new Gold and Silver
Exchange was officially opened at 14 Mercer Street . " The function was attended
by Colonel Ikemoto , Director of the Economic Section , and he instructed the
* February 6 , 1942 , see enclosure No. 14 , Japanese Army Economic Bureau Notice .
** Statement of Donald L. Ballantyne , Manager , Chase Bank , Hong Kong .
- 71 -
representatives of the 42 money exchange establishments , whose opening had been
authorized by the Japanese and whose managers formed the membership of the Ex
change , in the way they were expected to go . He told them that the main func
tions of the Exchange would be to stop speculation and to prevent any disparity
in the premium demanded by money-changers for the exchange of money by allowing
only cash business and fixing the rates daily . The now familiar TUNG Chung -wei,
appointed Chairman of the Exchange , thanked the Colonel for his instructions .
g. One of the major problems of the Chinese business and
Remittances .
banking groups in Hong Kong was that of the remittances which normally would be
sent back through Hong Kong to China by Chinese in the south , and by Hong Kong
Chinese to their own family villages . Various suggested solutions were mooted ,
and a broadcast on December 30 , 1942 from Tokyo indicates that an arrangement
was finally completed : according to it , iemittances will be restricted to the
sum of 100 yen monthly for each family for the time being . Remittances should
be made through the Japanese banks alone , with an exchange rate ( fixed at par )
between the yen currency and the military script in the Japanese occupied
regions ."
G. Transport and Communications .
1. Intra - urban Transport .
a.Tramways . A Communications Department * was set up under the
Civil Administration Department of the Japanese Army early in January to take
charge of all matters effecting transport and communications . Assisted by a
group of civilian experts and technicians who appear to have been exceptionally
competent , it turned its attention first to the problem of intra - urban trans
port , the first press reference to its activities being in the form of a report
appearing in the HONG KONG NEWS of January 13 , 1942 , to the effect that the
authorities were understood to be taking steps to resume the tramway service as
soon as possible .
The line running from Causeway Bay to the Western Market was resumed on Jan
uary 27 , with 16 cars operating at 2 minute intervals. The fare was 8 Hong
Kong cents first class and 4 cents second . Necessary repairs to the wires in
that area having been made , the Happy Valley Route was opened on February 10 ;
with the resumption of the line from North Point to Shaukiwan Market and later
to the terminus , the tram lines in Hong Kong were stated to have been completely
.
restored . ** By March 15 , 60 cars were said to be in service ( as against ill run
ning prior to the Pacific war ) ; on that day the Japanese authorities raised the
tram fares to 15 sen ( then H.K . $ . 30 ) for first class and 10 sen ( H.K . $ . 20 ) for
.
second class . The Rehabilitation Advisory Committee presented a petition to the
Communications Department asking that these fares be reduced , since at that price
many of the poorer classes would no longer be able to use trams . This request was
rejected by the Committee , which indicated that the fares had been deliberately
raised with just that fact in mind ; they wanted to cut down on the use of the
trams to avoid overcrowding . *** The subsequent further devaluation of the Hong
or Section : the name in Japanese being which the Chinese read as Chiao
交
Tlung Pu and the Japanese as Kotsubu ; it means , literally, "Board of Communication. "
** The HONG KONG PRESS of February 11 stated that , with 50 cars running , the number of per
sons using the cars daily was a maximum of 63,710 , minimum 59,361 ; receipts were Yen 3,502
and 710
- 72 -
-
-
Kong dollar in terms of Yen of course again doubled this fare in Hong Kong
money ; the only other change was the institution of trams for goods portage
for the carrying of fish , etc. every half hour between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30
a.m. *
b. Bus services . On January 25 the Communications Department opened four
bus routes on Hong Kong Island , eleven of the buses formerly used having been
placed back into operation , while five more were being repaired . The lines and
stopping places were to be the same as before , but the fares charged were to be
according to sections or districts : the lowest fare was 5 sen ( H.K . $ . 10 ) . The
service was reported to have been well patronized . ** There were many complaints
of congestion on the buses , of the crowding at the stops , indicating that the
Japanese were unable to bring in replacements for the buses destroyed during the
fighting . ***
C.Ferry service . A ferry service of sorts had been in operation since
about January 10 , when repatriates or persons with essential business in Kowloon
were permitted to cross for charges ranging up to H.K.$ 1.00 apiece on very crowd
ed ferries . The traffic was then all one way , people who were taken across not
being permitted to return . On January 19 , perhaps somewhat prematurely , the
press announced the resumption of regular service every twenty minutes , the
fare being 10 sen first class and 5 sen second twice what it had been under
the British regime .
Several of the ferry boats had been scuttled and others badly damaged , so
that this early resumption of the service represented a considerable achieve
ment ; but more surprising was the successful salvaging of three of the large
valicular ferries , all of which had been scuttled prior to the surrender . The
service was resumed in June ; the ferry boats to Cheung Chau had begun running
again in May . Thus all the basic cross-water transport services were resumed ,
although all at higher rates and on reduced schedules .
d.Peak Tram . If the salvaging of ferry boats was surprising, the repair
of the Peak Tram was remarkable . During the fighting the Peak Station of the
tram -- a cable car operating at a steep gradient up the side of the central
Peak on Hong Kong Island -- was destroyed , the cable was broken , and several
of the control houses at different levels on the way up were badly damaged ; ****
and yet by June 5 ***** it had been completely repaired , and the Governor and
other high- ranking Japanese officials were taken to the Peak on it . They began
regular runs at thirty minute intervals on June 25 ; twenty one-way tickets sold
for Yen 5.00 , which made the Hong Kong price 50 cents ( later $ 1.00 ) per trip ,
as against ten cents before the war .
* This service was begun to keep hawkers , etc. , carrying fish or other objectionable articles ,
from using the regular trams .
** HONG KONG NEWS , January 26 , 1942 .
*** It was also suggested that some of the bus engines were being used to power wooden ves
sels being built under Hong Kong's shipbuilding program . See below , SHIPPING .
**** The writer was lying in a ditch about 20 feet away when the May Road level control box
was wrecked by shell fire .
***** HONG KONG NEWS , June 6 , 1942. The report of the resumption of the tram is corroborated
by several reliable Chinese and foreign informants .
-
73
e. Private Autos . During the hostilities prior to Hong Kong's fall , the
Colonial Government took over , for the legitimate purposes of defense , all the
privately owned automobiles in the Colony . In the widespread looting after the
city's capture the Japanese military authorities sent out squads to take posses
sion of all available cars ; in some instances they even undertook small repairs
in order to get the machines under way . As has been recounted , most of the autos
were shipped out of the Colony , presumably to Japan .
Yet the HONG KONG NEWS of January 21 printed an advice to all those whose
cars had been commandeered by the British Government to register their names
with a view to securing a return of the car . There were few registrations . On
March 25 the " Hong Kong Government" published " Notice No. 12 " instructing all
civilians in possession of motor cars and wishing to use them to apply to the
Land Communications Department before April 14 ; application forms for the pur
pose were obtainable at the Section ; applications made after the set date would
be invalid . * The information available indicates that there were few registra
tions , which may account in part for the fact that most of the relatively small
number of autos in use in Hong Kong now are run by the military authorities
there . **
f. A public notification dated March 25 *** stated that
Other Vehicles .
" in order to increase communication facilities , maintain the scenic beauty of
the city , keep the roads in good condition and to avoid transport accidents ,
owners of horse carriages , bicycles , and man power cars are required to apply
for permission to continue to use them . " The reason for requiring registration
became clear later , when it was announced that they would all require licenses ,
the charges for which would be Yen 25 for horse-drawn or man-propelled vehicles ;
Yen 60 for motorcycles ; and Yen 9 for bicycles . There were the usual deadlines
after which applications would not be accepted . After the middle of May it was
announced specifically that rickshaws and chairs would have to register and be
licensed , the fee for a rickshaw being Yen 20 a year (H.K. $ 40.00 ) and for a
chair Yen 5. **** Later , " to avoid useless quarrels about fares " a regular set
rate for rickshaws was established , the prices being much higher than those
usually charged or which most Chinese could afford to pay . *****
2. Extra urban Transport .
a. In the first days of the fighting be
Canton -Kowloon Railroad .
tween the British and Japanese forces in the New Territories , the defenders
* See Enclosure No. 29 .
** Some are run by doctors and other " essential civilians " . Besides the permit , a license
was necessary , for which the fee was Yen 60 a year ( the H.K. $ 120 ) as against the old charge
of H.K. $ 10.00 .
*** See enclosure No. 30 , Public Notification of the Hong Kong Government .
**** The Japanese must have known well enough that very few rickshaw pullers or chair bear
ers could raise , especially in the short time given them , the sums demanded ; these regula
tions evidently were directed at reducing the number of rickshaws and chairs . Those forced
out of work would come within the purview of other regulations which required all those
without regular employment to return to China .
***** Also evidently aimed at eliminating the rickshaws , these price ceilings were probably
simply disregarded .
- ..74 -
covered their retreat by discharging the mines which had been set earlier along
the Canton-Kowloon Railway , destroying large sections of the track , several
bridges , and completely blocking at least one long tunnel . On December 30 the
Railway Corps under the command of Major Ishihara began the task of repairing
the road . By January 30 the work was completed except for the clearing of one
long tunnel between Kowloon- tong and Shatin , and on that day a party of Chinese
journalists was taken for a tour of the line . *
A much more impressive and formal ceremony was held on March 24 , when the
Governor officially received Major Ishihara's report of his success in clearing
the entire line as far as Lowu . His Excellency addressed the gathering at Kow
loon Station , thanking the Major ; the completion of the railway would , he said ,
assist the reconstruction of Hong Kong and would help the completion of the
Greater East Asia War ; " Hong Kong depends upon the great ocean for it sactivi
ties , but the completion of the Kowloon- Canton Railway , connecting the conti
nent with the great ocean , will have great importance from now onwards ." When
the speech -making was done , the Governor travelled up and back on the reopened
line . **
From March 25 six trains were run daily ; the line immediately became an im
portant thoroughfare in the movement of repatriates back to their villages in
China . In the week ending May 18 , for instance --- when the heaviest part of the
repatriation movement was already past -- 8,286 persons left Kowloon Station on
the trains and 4,428 persons returned to the Station on them : some 3,758 per
sons had evidently gone into China in the course of the week by that one route
alone . On June 24 a regular " repatriation train " was scheduled : it left Kow
loon Station every afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Considerable quantities of market
produce from the New Territories and the near-by areas of Kwantung Province were
also brought in on the trains .
b. Kaitak Aerodrome. As we have seen , the Japanese were so well aware
of the importance of Kaitak that the first knowledge most Hong Kong residents
had of the out-break of the Pacific War came when they saw the aerodrome being
attacked at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of December 8 . Almost immediately after
the fall of Hong Kong the Japanese repaired the field and put it into operation ,
and there were soon rumors of their plans to considerably enlarge it . The first
announcement of the scheme was made on June 6 , when a " canned " release said in
comment :
" Hong Kong has been known for years as an important seaport , and
now with the development of air communications it will undoubtedly be
come a vital link with Nippon and the Southern Regions , both by sea
and air . "
To anticipate any possible resistance to the plan on the part of Chinese
land - owners in the areas affected , the Japanese authorities secured the forma
tion of an " Association for the Assistance of the Authorities in the Enlargement
of Kai Tak Airport" with a membership comprising the important land-owners and
residents of the area . It was charged with determining the number of houses in
* HONG KONG NEWS , January 30 , 1942 .
** HONG KONG NEWS , March 25 , 1942 .
-
75 -
the zone and collecting other necessary data . This step . and frequent if incon
spicuous items in the press , prepared the public for the extent of the project :
the Kowloon Bureau was instructed to lend every facility to persons affected ;
forty factories and numerous private families would have to move ; farmers who
were displaced would be given plots of uncultivated land in Tsun Wan and Tai 0 ;
estimates placed the number of these at 20,000 , while it was believed that 20
villages would have to move . An indication of the length of time the Japanese
expected to take in the rebuilding of the aerodrome was given in an article on
the subject in the'HONG KONG NEWS of June 26 , which said that those living to
the Northwest of the present field would have to move by August 10 , while those
on the West , North , and East would be given until December 31 , 1942 , to get
out . *
3. Communications .
a. Wireless . A Cable and Wireless Office was opened at the Marina
House , No. 17 , Queen's Road Central , on February 1. A Mr. Ohtsubo , evidently
the head of the Office , stated in a press account published in the HONG KONG
NEWS of January 30 that for the time being it would only be possible to send
messages to Japan Proper and to Canton ; this restriction was due , he said , to
the serious damage which had been done to the equipment and machines by the
British just prior to their surrender . Only two small wireless sets were at
that time available for the traffic . The office would be open from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m .; messages of greeting or cor.solation would not be accepted , and the
Office could take no responsibility for the non-deliverance of messages . The
rates heavily favored the use of the Japanese language in messages despatched . **
The office also received telegrams from the outside , and undertook to deliver
them to the recipients whether they were in Hong Kong or Kowloon .
* The enlarged field is believed to have been completed , but no exact details of its dimen
sions , etc. , appear in the public record . An informant states that " British prisoners of war
were used as part of the conscripted labor force with which the task was accomplished . "
They were said to have been paid 80¢ ( H.K. ) a day . ( Prisoners of war were also observed
loading and unloading ships ) .
** The announced rates were : HONG KONG to FORMOSA Japanese ( 15 words or less ) : Govern
-
ment messages , one yen ; private , one yen 25 sen ; press , 35 sen . For every five words in ex
cess of 15 words Government , 20 sen ; private 25 sen ; press , 7 sen . English ( five words or
less ) :Government , one yen , 25 sen ; private , one yen 50 sen ; press 50 sen . For every word
in excess of five words Government , 25 sen ; private 30 sen ; press , 10 sen . HONG KONG to
CE
JAPAN excluding FORMOSA & KWANTUNG Japanese ( 15 words or less ) Government rate one
yen 50 sen ; private two yen ; press 50 sen . For every five words in excess of 15 words
Government , 30 sen ; private , 40 sen ; press , 10 sen . English ( five words or less ) Govern
ment , one yen , 75 sen ; private , two yen , 50 sen ; press , 75 sen . For every word in excess of
five . words Government , 35 sen ; private , 50 sen ; press , 15 sen . HONG KONG to CANTON
Japanese , ( 15 words or less ) Government , 50 sen ; private 60 sen ; press , 25 sen . For every
five words in excess of 15 words Government , 10 sen ; private , 12 sen , press , five sen .
English ( five words or less ) Government , 75 sen ; private , one yen ; press , 40 sen . For
every word in excess of five words . Government , 15 sen ; private , 20 sen ; press , eight
sen . Chinese ( five words or less ) Government , 60 sen ; private , 60 sen . For every word in
excess of five words Government , 12 sen ; private , 12 sen . No rates for cable in Chinese
are quoted for Formosa and the Japanese Empire . HONG KONG NEWS , January 30 , 1942 .
76 -
On December 23 , 1942 , a Tokyo broadcaster read a DOMEI despatch from Hong
Kong reporting that communications authorities of the " Government General " had
announced that telegraph service between Hong Kong and Rangoon , which had com
menced sometime previously , was being extended to seven other Burmese cities .
Another DOMEI report read over a similar broadcast on January 14 , 1943 , stated
that direct telegraphic service between Hong Kong and Osaka would be inaugurated
the next day ( January 15 ) with the completion of all necessary arrangements by
the Communications Ministry ( in Tokyo ) . Up to that time all telegraphic commu
nication between Hong Kong and Japan Proper had been conducted via Taiwan .
b. Telephones. An article in the HONG KONG NEWS of January 31 , 1942 stat
.
ed that the Telephone Office would be removed to the Gloucester Building , to
premises previously occupied by the Pan American Airways , The Telephone Bureau
( of the Civil Administration Department ) , which was to have charge of the tele
phone system in Hong Kong, had announced -- according to the article -- that the
lines connecting more than one half of the 170,000 telephones formerly in use
in the Colony had been successfully repaired . The Bureau had not yet , however ,
reached any decision as to the rates to be charged .
The public was later informed that telephones would be free until the costs
had been determined , but that no new phones were at the time available .
telephone repair office was set up in Windsor House to undertake repairs on
phones then in use .
On April 28 "Governor's Order No. 19 " was issued , setting forth in detail
the " Telephone Regulations for the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , " In it the
yearly rates to be payable quarterly -- were set according to the remoteness
of the place in which the phone was to be installed , the lowest yearly charge
being Yen 120 ( then Hong Kong $240 , later $480 ) . There was also an installa
tion charge of Yen 25 , as well as a charge of Yen 5 for " special fixtures " ( of
which a bell appears to be one ) , and of Yen 12 for a table telephone ( new model ) ;
and -- what was perhaps most discouraging of all -- " Any person applying to the
Telephone Bureau for permission to install a telephone must deposit the sum of
fifty yen ( Yen 50 ) . The deposit of fifty yen will be refunded when the tele
phone is disconnected if the depositor be not penalized according to Article
11 *
25 .
For all but a fraction of the people who had before the war begun to take
the telephone for granted , these charges were as they were intended to be
prohibitive . The regulations also required that the Bureau's operatives must be
given access whenever they desired it -- provided they identified themselves --
to the phones installed . The result was that , in spite of repeated invitations
to register their phones , the response was slight . By May 20 ( according to the
HONG KONG NEWS of that date ) there were 100 subscribers enrolled . On May 30 the
Telephone Bureau ( now of the " Governor's Office " ) moved to the Exchange Build
ing , whence it sent out notices that everyone who had a telephone or who wanted
one should register . June 17 was set as the deadline for registrations , but
this was subsequently continually extended . ** The Bureau had planned to cut
down the number of subscribers to perhaps a fifth or a tenth of the number
* See enclosure No. 59 , Governor's Order No. 19 , Regulations for Telephones .
,
** Such was the situation on June 30 , 1942 .
- 77 -
prior to the war , but the Chinese were cutting down considerably further than
was expected or desired .
C. Posts .The Post Office opened its doors on January 22 for the first
time since the surrender of the Island . It was said that there was a great rush
on the first day to purchase the now requisite Japanese stamps they were
sold in 2 , 3 , 4 , 10 and 30 sen denominations and to post letters , which were
accepted for Japan , Formosa , Macao , "Kwangtung Province , China , Manchukuo , "
French Indo-China , and Thailand . The HONG KONG NEWS account of the opening*
said that " for the present , no registered letters , money orders or parcels will
be accepted , but as the postal service develops and as business in Hong Kong
resumes more fully , these three branches of the service will be re - opened . "
The restitution of the postal service was the work , this article stated , of
Japanese postal experts who had been brought to Hong Kong for the purpose and
who were now " in charge of this branch of communal and international service ."
At first only the Central District was served by postal deliveries , but as
more postmen were engaged and other offices opened , the routes were gradually
extended , and efforts were even made to deliver mail that had accumulated dur
ing and after the hostilities but which had gone undelivered . Indicating the
quantity of mail handled , the Post Office reported on February 1 that from
January 24 -- 29 , 43,000 letters had been mailed . As from February 20 , regis
tered mail was to be accepted . ** On April l the postal rates were revised up
ward , to bring them into conformity with those introduced into Japan on that
date . ***
A Tokyo broadcast on December 19 reported that , " in view of the swift pro
gress of the first , second , and third class mail matter , " fourth class mail
service was to be opened between Hong Kong and the southern regions .
H. Shipping .
1. Routes Restored .
a. Shipping Schedules . As has been noted in discussing the
routes by which repatriates were being sent out of the Colony , steamer traffic
to Canton was resumed on January 16 , 1942 , the SHIROGANE MARU being the first
ship , on a daily scheduled sailing at 9 a.m. Two more ships were shortly put
* January 25 , 1942 .
** It is not clear when the acceptance of registered mail began .
*** HONG KONG NEWS , March 29 , 1942 . The revised rates are : Ordinary local letters as well
as those to Japan , " Manchoukuo , " Kwantung , China , South Seas , of 20 grams or less to be in
creased from four sen to five sen . Those for foreign countries , excluding China and " Man
choukuo , 20 sen ; for every additional 20 grams , 12 sen extra . The rate for postcards re
mains the same two sen for local , Japan , " Manchoukuo " , Kwantung , China and South Seas , and
--
ten sen for foreign countries , excluding China and " Manchoukuo , " . The charges for two-way
postcards are four sen and 20 sen respectively ; and for sealed postcards to Japan , " Manchou
kuo , " Kwantung , excluding China , five sen . For printed matter , pamphlets , etc. , of 100
grams or less , four sen ; matters for the blind in Braille of one kilogram or less , two sen .
The rate for seeds weighing 100 grams or less is one sen .
78
2. the run the KAINAN MARU and the KAIJU MARU ; and the SHIROGANE was diverted
to the Macao run , which was resumed on January 19 with two vessels , the other
being the TEMPO MARU .
Later the SHIROGANE was transferred to the Hong Kong -Kwangchowan run , which
was re- commenced February 9 with a noon sailing . The HONG KONG NEWS of Febru
ary 7 described the Canton run as being served then by three ships : the KAISYU
( KAIJU ? ) MARU , the NANKAI MARU , and the UNYO MARU . The tonnage of these vessels
is not known , but it is unlikely that they are any more than small river steam
ers similar or identical with those that have been on the Pearl River for years .
A test run by a coastal vessel between Shanghai and Hong Kong was made on
February 10 with no passengers to determine whether it would be feasible to
open a regular line between the two ports . By late August of 1942 no such line
had as yet been established , however , and it is believed that there is even now
no scheduled run connecting the two ports , although irregular sailings are made ,
the ships stopping each night , blacked out , to escape submarines .
There were sailings on the lith , the 12th , 16th , and 21st of February from
Hong Kong to Chiuchow and Swatow , but steamers seem to have been taken off of
this line in March , this circumstance being strongly indicated by the beginning
of the overland treks by Swatow repatriates , as well as by the fact that Chinese
informants appear unaware of the existence of such a line .
The HONG KONG NEWS of February 18 reports that there was a three- cornered
traffic with Macao , there being ships leaving Hong Kong for that port every al
ternate day , returning on the next day , while between Canton and Macao a daily
service was maintained , a ship leaving each for the other at 10:00 a.m. every
morning
Supplying shipping for repatriates , the " Inland Transportation Company " *
announced sailings for Shi Kiu on March 2 , 5 , and 8 ; for Tongkawan on March 4 ,
>
**
6 and 10 ; for Kongmoon on March 4 and 8 ; and for Taiping on March 2 and 8 .
On the same day a schedule of uniform fares was set up , and rate- free repatria
tion was suspended . *** These rates were later somewhat modified , but are fairly
representative , although they do not of course cover all the outlays required
of passengers .
* The Japanese authorities maintained complete control of shipping in and out of Hong Kong :
this Company , which handled vessels plying between the island and near-by coastal ports , is
believed to have employed the set -up of one of the former shipping offices , but under Japan
ese officals of the Repatriation Bureau .
** HONG KONG NEWS , March 1 , 1942 .
*** The advertised rates were : Canton Special class , Yen 16 ; first class , Yen 12 ; second
class , Yen 7 third cl ss , Yen 4 . Special class , Yen 10 ; first class , Yen 7 ;
Macao -
second class , Yen 4 ; third class , Yen 3 . Kwongchowwan Shirogane Maru , H.K. $30 all class
es . Other ships H.K. $ 20 all classes . Tongkawan Yen 3 . Swatow Yen 6 . --
Shi Kui 3. -
Taiping Yen 2 . Kongmoon Yen 6.50 . Children under 12 years of age half price in all
cases ; except for Macao , two photos to be produced in purchasing ticket . HONG KONG NEWS ,
March 2 , 1942 .
- 79 -
b. Junk Traffic . Hostilities drove the fleet of Chinese fishing junks
that normally operated in the waters around Hong Kong off the sea , and many of
them were sunk by action of the Japanese Navy , which forbade any movement by
junks even after the fall of the Colony . Then permission was given for fishing
in restricted areas , the control was slightly relaxed , and a clandestine traffic
with Macao grew up , both for repatriates and to supply the growing " black
markets" in Hong Kong with foodstuffs and drugs . As the demands upon such ships
as were available grew heavier , and shipping tended to grow more and more scarce , *
the use of junks increased , although only a fraction of those in use before the
war were still available . **
On or about the 10th of December , 1942 , the Japanese announced the estab
lishment of a Sailing Vessel Trading Company at Hong Kong to carry on trade
between the Island and the neighboring mainland of China . The company was stated
to have a fleet of 105 junks of all sizes which it planned to use not only on
short voyages , but in comparatively long coastwise trips . This project was said
to have been first discussed in August in a shipping conference in Hong Kong .
There were discussed the use of wooden ships for food shipments from China --
to release steamships for use as military transports -- and the control of all
coastwise traffic , including the obligatory registration of all wooden vessels
regardless of size ,
2. Salvage . Before the surrender of Hong Kong , the British authorities
scuttled the shipping then in the harbor , but nearly all of it -- if not actually
all --- was gradually salvaged by the very efficient crews brought in by the
Japanese shortly after the surrender . Several of the smaller ships and launches
they were successful in raising immediately ; they were still working on others
as late as June , 1942 . One large ship is believed to have been broken up for
scrap , but the Japanese themselves claimed to have refloated several of the
others and to have them in service . ***
3. New Construction .
a. Ships on the Ways . Two freighters of 10,000 tons were launched in Hong
Kong in December , 1942 , according to DOMEI broadcasts from Tokyo and other
sources , but these were announced to have been vessels already in the course of
construction when the Japanese took over the Hong Kong yards . Later broadcasts
make no further mention of other launchings of steel ships , and it seems unlike
ly that there have been any more .
b. Wooden Cargo Boats . In a DOMEI broadcast from Tokyo on January 19 ,
1943 , Governor Isogai is reported to have given a press interview on the preced
ing day to Hong Kong newspaper men in which he spoke of the main goals which he
had set himself in the reconstruction of the " captured territory " for the com
ing year . Among these was shipbuilding, of which he said :
* By about May 15 the scarcity was very marked ; whether that was due to sinkings or to the
extent to which shipping to the " Southern Regions " had revived is not known .
** In 1933 , when the total population of Hong Kong was 922,643 ( comparable to that of the
Colony after the repatriation ) there were estimated to be 100,000 persons living on junks
( Annual Report on Social and Economic Progress , for 1933 ) ; on May 18 , 1942 ( H.K. News of
that date ) there were only 2,700 junk dwellers who were receiving rice rations !
*** Three ships were reported Salvaged in January , 1943 .
80 -
! " The increase in production of vessels which parallels the ad
vance of the war is progressing smoothly . Already the first line has
been attained . We are now progressing with great speed toward the
next step , and building goes on steadily .
" The Government General of Hong Kong will be independent of
mainland Japan as much as is possible in material and in manpower .
It is our plan to make use of local material and manpower to proceed
with the program . And , in the future , we hope to depend on the va
rious southern regions for their aid in raw materials . "
When these shipbuilding demands had been satisfied , the Governor continued ,
plans would be set a foot for the improvement of the harbor and warehousing
facilities of the port to establish Hong Kong as a central distribution point
for the Southern Areas .
The large Hong Kong shipyards had formerly depended upon steel imported
from outside the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" and which was not now
available ; if the "Government General of Hong Kong " was to be independent of
mainland Japan , it could not continue to build steel ships . * The Governor's
reference to his future dependence on " various southern regions for their aid in
raw materials " would appear to point to the mahogany of the Philippines and to
the teak of Thailand and Burma , both excellent for shipbuilding .
A shipbuilding company to undertake the construction of wooden vessels was
reported to have been formed in the late fall of 1942 under the direct control
of the Governor's Office . The ceremony for laying the keel of the first ship
was held later , presumably sometime in November . The vessels to be built were
to be employed in " the transportation of raw materials and commodities for re
construction in the southern regions , such as crude oil , lumber , rice . " An un
specified number of these " transport ships " " tonnage not given " were com
pleted at Hong Kong on December 8 and 16 , according to subsequent statements .
By March 1943 , there were recurring reports of the launching of large numbers
of these vessels in from 40 to 63 days construction time . **
I. Public Utilities .
1 . Water Supply In bombing and shelling Hong Kong the Japanese
appeared obviously careful not to destroy the reservoirs that provide the city's
water supply . In spite of these precautions , the water supply was cut off
probably because of broken mains or conduits in some sections of the city
during the early part of the occupation . In January , 1942 , however , a Water
Department , under the Civil Administration Department and composed of Japanese
engineers , was put in charge of the Colony's water supply . On January 20 it
issued an order requiring all landlords and property owners to register their
water meters by February 1 , or their water supply would be cut off , Meter de
* The materials on hand , except for those used in completing the two steel ships referred to
earlier , are believed to have been devoted to the repair work for which the Hong Kong docks
are best equipped .
** Besides Hong Kong's regular shipyards , there were many smaller ones originally given over
to the construction of wooden pleasure craft , yachts , etc .; the industry was a highly devel
oped one , and could easily have been converted to the purpose of the Japanese .
- 81
posits were demanded : Yen 25 for family residences , Yen 50 for banks and busi
nesses , Yen 100 ( and up ) for factories , the charge for the water itself being
15 sen per 100 gallons . The gravest warnings continued to be issued to those
who did not register their meters .
Several " deadlines" were set and disregarded . Those who had meters evident
ly continued to get water , and were charged for it if the Water Department could
catch up with them : those without meters were asked not to apply , since there
were no extra ones to be had For the benefit of the largest percentage of the
population , housed in dwellings without running water , the Japanese opened
eighty public fountains on the Hong Kong side and forty on the Kowloon .
In June , 1942 , the public was urged to be careful in its use of water , and
to conserve as much as possible a supply the failure of which was threatened ,
it was said , because of the lack of rain .
2. Electricity Responsibility for Hong Kong's lights and electricity was
turned over shortly after the surrender to an Electricity Section of the Civil
Administration of the Army , which bustled about with characteristic energy and
self - importance to serve the Emperor by repairing the wiring that had been torn
out in the course of the hostilities . This task was regarded as completed in
April , when it became possible for Shatin and Taipo in the New Territories to
have electric lights .
The rates had been published earlier : on January 25 the HONG KONG NEWS had
carried a story advising everyone who wanted to use lights to make application
therefor at the P. & 0. * Building , the minimum charge was to be 26 sen per unit
for the consumption of electricity , and every shop or business premise had to
deposit Military Yen 5.00 for each bulb it used . Private residences were charg
ed a minimum of Yen 5.00 for from one to five bulbs , and Yen 1.20 for each
bulb over five .
These charges were immediately protested by the Chinese , most of whom used
a profusion of lights in their stores and houses . On February 5 the Electric
Office announced a reduction in the rate of deposit by bulbs , and let it be
known that the matter was one which could be the subject of discussion in special
cases , ** but the Chinese continued slow to register . In March the Electric
Office undertook an investigation to determine why so few people used eletric
lights the darkness contributed , it felt , to the difficulty encountered by
the Gendarme Police in keeping order . This " investigation " may have helped : on
April 18 it was estimated*** that a total of 100,000 bulbs were then in use .
3. Applications for gas could be made at the Gloucester Building in
Gas .
the office of the Hong Kong Gas Company , under the Public Works Department .
* Peninsula and Oriental S. S. Co. , the great British steamship line to the Far East .
** A typical opening for bribery the large department stores had to be given special de
ductions or they would not have been able to open at all on a straight Yen 5.00 ( H.K. $ 10.00 )
per bulb rate ; a suitable arrangement was made but , rumor has it , for a " sizeable consid
eration paid to the right party .
*** In the HONG KONG NEWS of that date . The figure given , although it would provide only
one bulb for every 10 residents , is still unquestionably too high .
82 -
Charges were Yen 6.66 for 1,000 cubic feet , with an initial deposit of Yen 15
for each separate piping point . These charges too , like those for water and
electricity , were relatively much higher than they had been prior to the war ;
at the ordinary rate of consumption , the average family in Hong Kong would pay
according to a Chinese who lived for some months under the occupation -- as
much as H.K. $80.00 a month just for cooking gas alone .
J. Public Health .
1. The Dangers of Plague . Bodies rotted in the hills , poisoning the
sources of water ; bodies rotted in narrow lanes and back alleys , making the air
heavy with their stench . In many of the places served by modern drainage the
flow of water had been cut off ; for the largest part of the population , which
had never had the use of toilets , the system of night- soil collection had col
lapsed , leaving their tenements and shanties crowded with overflowing pails of
excrement . It may have eased this situation somewhat that there should have
been so little food and practically no firewood to cook it with , but those lacks
did not make it any more healthful . And for those who got sick no medical aid
was forthcoming ; the numerous doctors who had practised in the populous districts
of the city had taken in their shingles and disappeared .
2. Prevention .
a. Anti Cholera Bureau . The dangers inherent in these conditions
were apparent to the Japanese administrators , as well as to many Chinese . Ad
dressing the Chiefs of the several ( Chinese-staffed ) District Bureaus on Febru
ary 4 , Sometani , the Chief of the Hong Kong Bureau of the Civil Administration
Department , said , "Health is more important than money or rice ," and urged that
the primary concern of everyone should be a clean city , * The Central District
Bureau ( under Peter Sin ) formed a Sanitary Section , and its head , a Chinese ,
pleaded with the people of his area to cease dumping excrement into the streets ,
but the people had no recourse , and conditions grew worse rather than better .
The first concrete step to head-off the plague was the opening on February
23 of the Anti-Epidemic Bureau under the Medical Department of the Civil Admin
istration Department. In this Bureau the Japanese had gathered 133 doctors of
medicine at the head of a large staff organized into three divisions : Investi
gation , Prevention , and Examination . Numerous small squads were despatched
through assigned areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon , to give anti-cholera , typhus
and small-pox injections and inoculations to everyone who could not prove having
had such treatment within the last three months . Every person treated was given
a small white slip with the date on it . For six weeks these squads circulated
through the city , inoculating people as they got on buses , as they entered the
Kowloon ferry , or when they made any of the countless applications or reports
that were required of them . The press and other propaganda channels urged women
not to run from the doctors . ** It was made a punishable crime to hire another
person to take your inoculations for you ; in one such case both the offender and
* HONG KONG NEWS , February 6 , 1942 .
** The women had learned the need for flight the hard way , and it took months to unlearn
them .
83
his stooge were made to kneel with placards around their necks for several
days on a downtown street corner .
The Bureau also attempted to collect the dead bodies found lying in the
streets ; the public was appealed to to phone in at once the location of such
bodies .
In this first drive the Japanese claimed to have inoculated 1,030,000
persons ; whether this figure is true or not , the best patent of the success of
their efforts is the fact that , although there were many deaths of cholera and
not a few of bubonic plague , there was no such sweeping epidemic as the condi
tions of filth and insanitation in which the populace was forced to live might
have been expected to produce .
In June the so-called " Second Stage Anti-Cholera Campaign " was begun , the
inoculation slips being pink instead of white . Twenty- four centers for free
inoculation were set up , 14 in Hong Kong , 8 in Kowloon , one at Tsimshatsui , and
one at the Yaumati Typhoon Shelter , to which residents were urged to proceed to
be inoculated . Those who did not do so , or who could not produce their white
slips , were inoculated on the street by the same squads that had been employed
previously . Later on in the drive , house to house visits were made , but the
public was warned not to open their doors to any but fully identified members
of the Bureau's staff .
At the same time five rules for health were announced and widely publicized :
( 1 ) eat no cold food or ice cream ; ( 2 ) eat no food that flies or cockroaches
might have touched ; ( 3 ) summon aid for diarrhea or vomiting ; ( 4 ) eat regularly
and don't catch cold while sleeping ; ( 5 ) kill all flies and cockroaches. **
b. Fly Eradication Week .The drive against flies - they had begun to
swarm all over the Island - was begun even before the Anti-Epidemic Bureau had
entered on its functions , the days from February 14 to 20 inclusive having been
designated " Fly Eradication Week . " Conducted by the various District Bureaus ,
it was accompanied by propaganda and a public offer to give one catty of rice
for 2 taels of dead flies collected . It was said that in one Bureau alone 1,500
taels of flies were brought in .
C. Cleansing Campaign . But flies and other insects continued to breed in
conditions of filth that grew worse daily and it became obvious that a more
direct approach to the problem was necessary . On March 11 the Wanchai District
Bureau , acting under orders from the Commander- in-Chief of the Naval Expedition
ary Force which held that area of the Island , issued an order that " all shops
and residents of private homes must daily clean all parts of their premises and
when shops open they must likewise take every precaution for the purpose of
* HONG KONG NEWS , June 7 , 1942. Subsequently ( HONG KONG NEWS , June 27 , '42 ) the Health De
partment issued instructions to restaurants containing a list of 14 injunctions , requiring ,
inter alia , that " everything must be boiled ; " " all utensils must be disinfected before being
used ; " " a portion of the foods sold must be reserved for examination by officials of the
Health Department; " " there must be a special contraption to catch flies; " " the staff of the
kitchen must wash their hands with disinfectant ; " " they must undergo a physical examination
twice a month . " ( See enclosure No. 94 for the complete text . )
84
public health Places which do not give satisfaction will be segregated for
one week with barbed -wire , preventing all ingress and egress . " Bureau inspec
tors would undertake to see that the following instructions were carried out :
( 1 ) ground floor occupants must clean their door steps ; ( 2 ) upper floor occu
pants must clean the staircases ; ( 3 ) topfloor occupants must clean the roofs ;
( 4 ) those who have water - closets must see that they are not blocked with filth . *
This was followed several days later by a Public Health Notice issued by
the Medical Department in the name of the Hong Kong Government designating the
ten days from March 16 to March 25 as a period during which all dwelling houses
had to be swept clean and washed , and all rubbish dumped at the proper places .
Failure on the part of dwelling houses or shops " to preserve their cleanliness
and exert special efforts to maintain it " would be penalized by a heavy fine . **
Another order to the same effect stated that during the period of cleansing ,
" all residents must thoroughly cleanse their premises as well as all furniture
and utensils therein ... Authorized officials will make visits to houses . ...
and heavy penalties will be inflicted upon the owner or occupier of any premises
which are not properly cleaned . ..." *** The press of March 16 carried a detail
ed list by sections of the areas to be cleaned on a given day , and for each day
of the period the papers carried notices of the streets and areas which were
supposed to be " cleansed " on that particular day . ****
Fairly rigorous inspections were carried out , and the city was gradually
given some semblence of cleanliness for the first time since the surrender .
Restaurants also were regularly inspected , but with less assurance C
because
of the possibility of bribery of effective control . The inter - guild diffi
culties between night-soil coolies were more or less straightened out , and al
though disposal was much more expensive than formerly, the service was resumed .
As late as June , however , there were complaints against the coolies , especially
against their practice of carrying the night-soil through the streets in the
daytime .
3. Oganization .
a. Medical Department . As has been indicated , the particular " mili
tary bureau " charged with the maintenance of public health was the Medical De
partment , staffed with Japanese , some of whom were public health experts from
Japan while others were army or civilian Japanese medical men . The organiza
tion of the Department's principal sub-Office , the Anti-Epidemic Bureau , has
been described . In the inoculation and inspection squads , both Chinese and Jap
anese nurses were employed , and some of the doctors were Chinese .
b. Medical and Dental Associations . On May 14 it was announced that two
associations were being formed under the auspices of the Medical Department :
the Nipponese- Chinese Medical Association and the Nipponese-Chinese Dental
Association . * The membership in each was to include all the members of the
* See enclosure No. 24 . Wanchai District Bureau Notice .
** See enclosure No. 25 , Public Health Notice .
*** HONG KONG NEWS , March 16 , 1942 .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , March 16 , 1942 .
***** HONG KONG NEWS , May 14 , 1942 .
85 -
-
particular profession resident in Hong Kong , whether Japanese or Chinese , and
all doctors and dentists were asked to register with the appropriate organiza
tion . The British medical registry was reviewed to secure the names of quali
fied Chinese doctors and dentists , and it was estimated that it would be possi
ble to " authorize the practice of" ( i.e. , to hunt out , enroll and compel to
undertake practice )) some 600 doctors and over 300 dentists . ** Graduates of
medical colleges and institutions in Japan , China , and foreign countries were
" permitted " to register .
In each instance the Association was given the power to issue certificates
to permit its member to practice . Any doctor ( and presumably any dentist ) prac
ticing without such a certificate after June 15 , 1942 , was liable to a fine of
H.K. $1,000 . *** Thus the Japanese authorities , acting through the Medical Dipart
ment , which in turn acted through the two " Nipponese - Chinese " associations , was
able to gain and exercise control over the medical and dental professions in
Hong Kong .
C. Medical Supplies . The medical supplies on hand in Hong Kong that
is to say , that part of the supply which was taken over with the fall of Hong
Kong and not moved to Japan was stated to be adequate for the use of the Col
ony for a year . It was also said that representatives of two large Japanese
drug firms visited Hong Korg in May to inspect the stocks , and that supplemen
tary supplies might be expected to be forthcoming from Japan .
d . Hospitals . " Public Notification No. 29" issued June 3 , 1942 , listed
seven hospitals and clinics " controlled by the Office of the Governor of Hong
Kong"" *** and gave their locations and the special services which they were
equipped to perform . From this list it is evident that the medical authorities
attempted to work out a rough division of labor among the hospitals named , for >
instance sending mental cases to one and maternity cases to another . The larg
er hospitals are not named , probably because if reports are correct they are
being run by the Japanese Army in some cases and by the Navy in others for the
treatment of wounded soldiers and seamen . The large and modern Queen Mary's
Hospital is said to have been taken over directly by the Army .
K. Social and Cultural Controls .
1. Education .
a
Shift to Japanese .
( 1 ) Japanese Classes . One of the characteristic attitudes
common to almost every type of Japanese who came into Hong Kong with the Island's
capture was his fierce insistence that every one who could speak should natural
ly be able to speak the Japanese language and that every one who could hear
should be able to understand it when it was spoken to him ; any who failed to
obey an order shouted at him in Japanese deserved to be shot just as surely for
* HONG KONG NEWS , May 14 & 26 , 1942 .
** An association was also formed for doctors of Chinese medicine :
*** Of which the Medical Department ( or " Health Section " ) is a part ; see enclosure No. 78
for the full text of the notification .
- 86 -
his failure to understand what was being said to him as for a deliberate de
fiance of the command . The fact that a person had failed to learn Japanese was
proof to begin with of a perverse hostility to the higher purposes that mo
tivated the Japanese people .
This perfectly sincere and unaffected conviction made an immediate and pro
found impression on the Chinese : * the preoccupation of the hour was the study
of Japanese . Classes sprang up everywhere ; the English language press began
running a series of thirty-minute lessons ; every intelligent Chinese resident
in Hong Kong was making some effort to master the language of "Great Nippon ."
To bring these classes under the surveillance of the Education and Cultural
Department of the Governor's Office , there was issued under date of April 16 ,
1942 , and over the Governor's signature , an order prescribing regulations for
the conduct of " private classes for the Nipponese language . " These regulations,
which covered all classes numbering more than ten students , or for which fees
were charged , required the person opening the class first to submit descriptive
particulars name , address , teachers , hours , curriculum , etc. -- through the
local General ( Bureau ) Office to the Office of the Governor , which would pass
upon the request . Once the class had been established , it could not be dis
banded without permission ,
Explaining in a statement to the press the issuance of this order , Mr.
Nagao , Chief of the Education Department , said ,
" The enthusiasm shown by the people in Hong Kong in the study
of the Nipponese language is a most encouraging sign ... The sponta
neous desire ... to learn the Nipponese language is due to the general
feeling that in future Nipponese will become the common language in
Hong Kong . The adoption of Nipponese as the common language for all
people here should go a long way in promoting better and fuller un
derstanding among all classes of people in their new cooperative
spirit to assist the Greater East Asia War ... Because of this neces
sity ( of using Japanese in applications , etc. , ) the people should
learn to write and speak Nipponese at their earliest opportunity .
" While encouragement would be given to the people to study Nippon
ese , there would , however , be no restrictions regarding the use of
other languages and the people's own dialects in their daily inter
course . " **
(2) One of the earliest orders of the occupying
Japanese Place Names .
army instructed Chinese shopkeepers , almost all of whom had their shop - signs
and advertisements in both English and Chinese , to remove the English versions :
the Japanese wished to do away entirely with this reminder of the Island's
former ownership . Shopkeepers who did not comply promptly were forced to do
so by gendarme squads .
* Who by long tradition are almost too willing to speak the other man's tongue .
** HONG KONG NEWS , April .17 , 1942 .
- 87
An even more sweeping change was made by the Hong Kong Government's Public
Notification No. 12 , dated April 20 , 1942 : it re-named in Japanese all of the
principal streets in Hong Kong and Kowloon . Queen's Road Central , for instance ,
became Nakameiji - dori; Des Voeux Road Central became Higashishowa - dori, Nathan
Road ( in Kowloon ) , Katorido - dori ; and so on . * The names of the Hong Kong , Glou
cester , and Peninsula Hotels were also changed to ones as typically Japanese as
any in Tokyo : the whole outward garment which was the city's English nomencla
ture was put aside , and replaced with a kimona of Japanese names ; the places to
which these new names were put seemed themselves somehow altered in the change .
( 3 ) Required Courses . But perhaps the most important phase of this shift
over was that which was to be demanded of the schools . All schools were to give
at least four hours a week to the study of Japanese in required courses . People
who wished to study English were not barred from doing so ; even the study of Kuo
Yu -- the Chinese " National Language " -- was not completely interdicted , although
it was discouraged , ** but only two languages were any longer to be proper for
the purposes of education , Japanese and the individual's own local dialect . In
this Hong Kong , although now a part of the Japanese Empire , was to follow Occu
pied China ; the infinitely numerous and distinct kinds of village patois were to
come back into their own , under a deliberately fostered sectionalism , with the
Japanese language the only available bridge across the gulf between the sections .
b. This requirement that the Japanese
Regulations Governing Schools .
language be " adopted as the fundamental principle in teaching in the local
schools " *** delayed for months the opening of Hong Kong's schools , since very
few of the members of the teaching profession in the Colony knew enough Japanese
to teach it . In the second week in January the Hong Kong Overseas Chinese Com
mittee on Education began meeting under the aegis of the educational and cultur
al officers of the Japanese Army staff , by whom it was informed that all former
school teachers would have to enter schools set up by the Military Administra
tion to learn the Japanese language . Teachers who graduated from these courses
would then be assigned to lower schools until such time as the higher schools
were opened .
All headmasters of schools were directed to register with the authorities ;
without the latter's permission , no school could open . **** It was not until the
second half of April that specific regulations were promulgated requiring a de
tailed application for registration by the headmaster of any school that desired
to re-open , and specifying the curriculum . *****
In the usual statement to the press accompanying these regulations , the
Education Department stressed the importance of the teacher's task :
* See enclosure No. 47 , Hong Kong Government , Public Notification No. 12 , for the complete
text . Subsequent orders changed the remaining place names ; all reference to the former names
was obliterated , and any one unfamiliar with the new ones would be unable to give his own
address or to locate any one else's .
** Because it is one of the means by which the Chungking Government has sought to bring about
the unification of China into a strong national state .
*** HONG KONG NEWS , January 19 , 1942 .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , January 17 , 1942 .
***** By Governor's Order No. 16 , issued on or about April 20 , 1942 . No copy of this order
is presently available .
- 88 -.
" Teachers of schools here must realize their responsibility to
aid civilization in the Greater East Asia Sphere . In the past the
Hong Kong education system has been an obstacle to the progress of
East Asia reconstruction . Therefore a stop should be made to this
and future education programme must be shaped in accordance with the
natural tendency of East Asia though , with the object of spreading
Nipponese civilization . "
Reports published in April indicated that the Japanese authorities expected
that some twenty schools which had completed their registration applications
would have complied with all requirements and be able to open on May 1. Inves
tigators despatched by the Education Department did not find them up to standard ,
however , and it was not until May 15 that twelve schools were finally found
satisfactory ; nine more opened later . * The HONG KONG NEWS of June 10 , 1942 re
ported that there were at that time 46 private Chinese schools open . ** employing
200 teachers , of which 80 percent knew no Japanese . To correct this situation
three month courses in the language were to be offered .
On June 12 a Chinese Committee of five members was set up by the Education
Department to hold fortnightly meetings to examine the qualifications of all
teachers applying for permission to resume their classes . The approved names
were forwarded to the Chief of the Education Department for final sanction ,
whereafter the accepted applicants were issued Teacher's Certificates .
To signalize the importance which he attached to all matters affecting the
education of the young , Lt. General Isogai devoted three days June 24 , 25
and 26 to an extended inspection of the schools then open .
C. Teachers's Training Institute . To develop a nucleus of indoctrinated
teachers , the Civil Administration Department of the Japanese military estab
lishment in Hong Kong announced on January 27 the early opening of an institute
for elementary school teachers , According to the circular issued , each candi
date would undergo a two-months course in ( 1 ) Japanese , ( 2 ) general knowledge ,
( 3 ) Japanese affairs , ( 4 ) lectures , and ( 5 ) physical culture .
One hundred and fifty men and women selected by examination from appli
cants , all of whom had to have had prior teaching experience in Hong Kong --
were inducted into the first class . *** On April 2 Mr. Nagao , Chief of the Educa
tion ( and Cultural ) Department , handed their certificates to the 148 who complet
ed the course , telling them that " a new cultural field was now open to them , and
it was up to them to seize their opportunities and help in the construction of
Greater East Asia . " ****
Mr. LAU Tit-shing also spoke to the students , apprising them of how " a new
Asiatic spirit now prevailed ; the British depended on their material resources ,
whereas the Japanese relied on their spirit . The result of the recent hostili
* HONG KONG NEWS , May 1 , 15 & 22 , 1942
** As against more than 600 under the British regime .
*** Each student was supplied with rice and H.K. $ 30 during the period of training .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , April 3 , 1942 .
89 -
ties in Hong Kong demonstrated which was better . " He hoped that the teachers
would impart this spirit to the younger generation .
Responding for the students , one WONG Chak - lau vowed that " they were deter
mined to surmount all difficulties in helping to create a Greater East Asia
sphere , and faced the road to this goal with confidence."
A second training class was inaugurated on April 17 with much the same
show , Mr. Nagao pointing out to the beginning students that the Nipponese lan
guage was to be the main subject of study " because in future the students , by
understanding it , would have a perfect understanding of conditions in Nippon and
her spirit to help the reconstruction of Asia , to promote Sino - Japanese co -oper
ation and friendship . " Mr. Ichiki congratulated them on being the 250 selected*
from over 1,000 candidates , and advised them to realize that they were " now
working to make a good foundation for education in Greater East Asia . "
New classes continued to be recruited every three months , although a Jap
anese-controlled broadcast in the Chinese language from Hong Kong in October ,
1942 , reported that the Education Department was trying to discover "why fewer
students were joining the school. "
d.East Asia Academy . In the broadcast just quoted it was also stated
that the Hong Kong University would be re-opened soon , with Japanese professors
" doing all they could to help . " There has been no subsequent news of the Uni
versity , and Chinese informants are of the opinion that it has not been opened .
It is probable that the broadcast referred to another project , which evidently
grew out of the " Teachers ' Training Institute" the " Hong Kong East Asia
Academy , " which opened on April 1 , 1943 , and possibly occupies the buildings of
the University . Its purpose is to train teachers and employees of the Govern
ment General . Special instructors for the Academy's classes were brought in
from Japan to teach the principal subjects , the Japanese language , history , and
" classics . "
e. The General Library . When the Peak was being looted of every portable
thing , a stream of books poured into the Thieves ' Market in Hong Kong : more
often than not the looters could read neither Chinese nor English , and the vol
umes that they did not burn for firewood they sold to the Market for a few cop
pers each . The Japanese military themselves seized the famous Chinese library
at Fung Ping Shan , together with the English and Chinese library that had been
the property of Hong Kong University .
In March it was announced that a great general library , which was to house
one of the finest collections in all Asia , was to be opened . A Captain Hidaki
of the Military Investigation Department undertook the task of collecting
the books , gathering them from every available source , reviewing and collating
them . For the first month that he was so engaged , his efforts attracted consid
erable attention , but thereafter nothing more was to be heard of them . It was
originally intended that the library was to be open to the public ; that part of
the project may have been forgotten too , there being no broadcast or other rec
ord of the library's establishment . **
*
125 men , 125 women .
** It has been suggested that part of the collection was later shipped to Tokyo .
- 90 -
2. Propaganda .
The Message . For over a hundred years the educated classes in
a.
China and throughout continental Asia have had a respect that was perhaps more
than wholesome for the white man and his works . It was first to Northern Europe
that the industrial revolution had come , * and the white man's mastery of the
mechanics of modern civilization was a wonderful thing to see . The revolution
had now almost run its course , and the East was catching up . In this pause
before the shifting of the scenes the prestige of the white man in Asia was a
real obstacle to the plans of the Japanese ; it made a mockery of their preten
tions to leadership in the East , based as they were on their adeptness as imi
tators of the West .
A sea of propaganda , persistent , continuous , unending , has not been the
least of the weapons which Japan has brought to bear so effectively to work the
destruction of that prestige . Its central message was a simple one : the domi
nance of the white man is done . "He exploited you for a hundred years , and now
the valiant armies of the Emperor have shown you the hollowness of his vaunted
might , the decadence of his minions , the inner weaknesses of England and America,
supposedly the strongest of the countries he represents . We of Asia are of one
race and one culture ; we Japanese are the elder brothers of all the East , and
feel for everyone of you the solicitude of the father for his children . Down
with the white man . "
This appeal is the same sort of emotionally synthesized distortion of the
truth and specious logic as is that of Hitler against the plots of " internation
al Jewry , " but the comparison goes no further : the Japanese gospel is infinitely
more dangerous , more insidious , and affects more deeply the emotions of a much
larger section of the world's population than Hitler's .
Nor has the message lacked for those to heed it , nor has its appeal been
in vain . In this the reaction of Hong Kong Chinese has not been exceptional :
they have learned what the Japanese is like , but they can hate him without
forgetting his teachings .
The bitter Chinese editorialist of the HONG KONG NEWS reflects this point
of view . **
" Whatever the differences between China and Japan , it may be
said without fear of contradiction that the Chinese nation whole
heartedly favors the movement which Japan has sponsored , to emanci
cipate the downtrodden peoples of Asia . Upon this aim , in fact , all
Asia is naturally unanimous . The conflict of opinion is confined to
points of method and time .
* Because of the relatively greater internal instability of the Western social order ; its
only Eastern rival , the Chinese social system , offered the individual member more than did
that of contemporary Europe ; the examination system opened for talent the road to power , and
the " right of revolution " gave any able but frustrated man an ultimate alternative . There
was no need for steam engines .
** In the issue of January 20 , 1942 .
- 91 -
" There can be but one policy for every self- respecting Asiatic ,
and that is to be masters in their own lands , to have their share of
the living space and the products of the earth , to demand and win
these ....."
b. Vehicles .
( 1 ) Victories in the field . A representative Chinese , asked what
kind of Japanese propaganda was the most effective , answered : " The continual
victories in the field . The fall of Hong Kong would not have seemed to prove
so much had it not been followed by the surrender of the British army at Singa
pore , by the capture of the whole of the Netherlands East Indies , and then by
the fall of Rangoon and Corregidor . This succession of victories , one after
another , over countries that we had always thought were so much stronger than
Japan , was almost overwhelming . Chinese particularly those in Hong Kong
were amazed . Some were dazed by it , some were disillusioned and embittered ,
and a few were happy and gloating . "
Like the Chinese rickshaw men in Tientsin who watched the Japanese soldiers
forcing white mer. to take dowr. their pants in the center of the busiest street ,
the residents of Hong Kong were left by the things they were witnessing with an
impression which only the most complete retribution could ever wipe out . Here ,
as in their earlier conflicts with the hated Westerner , the Japanese were favor
ed by circumstance : with the American fleet crippled by the treacherous attack
at Pearl Harbor and Great Britain pre-occupied in Europe , they were able to
pile up a string of such brilliant victories in Asia as to leave an ineradicable
mark in the history of the East .
Grimly the Japanese- controlled press hammered home the lessons that the
conquerors wanted to be sure would not be forgotten by their subjects :
" ... Singapore will be another Hong Kong when the truth is known .
In Malaya , as formerly in Hong Kong , there are the same type of supine
colonial administrators and sycophant minor officials , all suffering
from the same disease the desire for material advantages , which
lays them open to corruption and the same dislike of hard work and
disinclination towards realities which result a slow corrosion of
mental and physical processes and hasten their own day of doom . " *
(2) Celebrations of Victory . Realizing how much the mind of a man is en
gaged , even against his will , by the motions he makes , the Japanese made an im
portant vehicle for propaganda of the celebrations which they held for their
victories . Preparations for the fall of Singapore were begun four days before
that event and involved elaborate planning on the part of a Chinese committee
of five selected with the approval of the Japanese to run the show . Everyone
* Written it is said by a Chinese , a former editorial writer on a British paper before
the fall of Singapore ( printed in the HONG KONG NEWS , January 23 , 1942. Singapore fell
February 15 , 1942 ) . This comment reflects the bitterness , the deep sense of betrayal , shared
by many of the most intelligent and cultured Chinese in Hong Kong . Only the wreaking of the
wrath of God over Tokyo could ever ease that memory , could even partially rehabilitate the
Westerner , in Eastern eyes .
- 92
was invited to participate , and those who wished to do so were asked to submit
their names to the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee not later than 4 p.m. on
February 17 .
The actual celebrations were held the next day . The account of them which
appeared on the 19th ( of February , 1942 ) in the HONG KONG NEWS alleged that
30,000 Chinese joined in the parade held on the Hong Kong side , and 20,000 in
the one in Kowloon . The Hong Kong parade was started off by the Honorable Sir
Robert Kotewall , who seemed to think it necessary to stand on a table in Statue
Square and jump up and down three times , yelling " Banzai. " The procession was
stated to have been two miles in length , and to have been featured by the cus
tomary long " dragons" traditional with the Chinese . Besides Chinese and Japan
ese , Indians , Fillipinos , Macanese , and Thais were represented . There were
25,000 posters attacking Anglo-American perfidies and praising the " Co -prosperity
Sphere " pasted up in conspicuous places in Hong Kong , 15,000 in Kowloon , and
10,000 in Taipo ; 20,000 leaflets were distributed by hand in Hong Kong , 10,000
in Kowloon and another 10,000 in Taipo , while 280,000 were dropped from the air
by planes . There were banners across the streets , and loudspeakers , both port
able --
on cars - and stationary . All business houses and private homes were
ordered to fly Japanese flags , the exact dimensions of which were prescribed .
It was said that 40,000 flags were distributed in Hong Kong , 20,000 in Kowloon ,
13,000 in Taipo , and 1,000 assigned to the Peninsula Hotel , beloved of big-shot
Japanese .
A very similar celebration , started with the same hopping up and down and
" banzai- ing " on the part of the Honorable Sir Robert , was held a month later ,
on March 17 , to mark the capture of Rangoon and the Netherlands East Indies .
Six planes took part , and one stunt plane performed . Thousands of pamphlets
were dropped ; there were 18 " lion displays, " it was even claimed that some
neutral foreigners participated . * Bags of rice were handed out as a reward for
those who marched , and some fifteen days later every registered participant re
ceived a small gift as a memento .
(3) For more routine propaganda work
Broadcast Van and Picture Slides .
in the streets of the city , the Japanese used a small auto-van equipped with a
set of loudspeakers which reproduced recordings of lectures and speeches urging
the co-operation of the " yellow races " and the expulsion of the white man .
Picture slides were also used by street propagandists , to catch and hold the
attention of passers -by while the evils wrought by the Westerner were being ex
plained to them .
(4) The Press . When Hong Kong surrendered , its numerous daily papers sus
pended publication . Immediately after the entry of the Japanese forces , the
Information Bureau of the occupying army began to contact the reporters and edi
tors of these papers . On January 1 the HONG KONG NEWS , and English - language
Japanese- controlled propaganda organ under the British regime prior to the
Pacific war resumed publication , issuing at first only a single sheet published
* HONG KONG NEWS , March 18 , 1942 .The three-column account under a three-line head carried
in the English- language sheet was characteristic of the stories of the celebration in the
Chinese-language press as well . These fervid descriptions of staged propaganda displays were
themselves propaganda , and as much directive as factual .
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- 93 -
on Che side . It was successful in employing several of the ablest Chinese and
Eurasian writers on the staff of the old SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST , and was
edited by one E. G. Ogura , a Japanese believed to have been brought in from
Japan for that purpose . The NEWS had two sister publications , one in Japanese
the HONG KONG NIPPO and the other .
the HONG KONG YAT PO in Cantonese .
On January 25 the Information Bureau gave a luncheon for Hong Kong's news
paper men . Major Saida , the Acting Chief of the Bureau , addressed the guests ,
explaining to them the important part they had to play in the development of the
" Co - prosperity Sphere ; " and Mr. Takao , the Chief of the Press Section of the
Bureau , outlined for them the future course of newspaper work in Hong Kong and
urged them to cooperate fully within . A Mr. Li , President of TIN YIN YAT PO ,
" suitably replied . " *
At about this time the Japanese authorities permitted the reissuance of
some ten Chinese- language papers under the close scrutiny of the Press Section ,
which handled press censorship as well as press relations .
Presumably to permit of closer supervision , the Information Bureau decided
in the latter part of May , 1942 , to effect an amalgamation of these papers :
the SING TAO and the WAH TSE becoming the HEUNG TAO YAT PO ; the TIN YIN , TSE
YAU , SIN MAN , and NAM WAH becoming the NAM WAH YAT PO ; the WAH KIU and TAI
CHUNG becoming a new WAH KIU ; and the TSUN WAN and the TAI KWONG becoming the
TOA MAN PO . ** The order was carried out on June 1 , the ten papers thus becoming
four .
A Tokyo broadcast of April 6 , 1943 stated that on the previous day a pop
ular magazine , the PAI HSING CHOU PAO -- " The People's Weekly " -- had made its
debut in Hong Kong . The new magazine is described as containing articles on
both national and international affairs , together with short stories ; presum
ably representing the Japanese idea of a cross between TIME and the SATURDAY
EVENING POST , it promises to provide the rulers with another effective means of
propaganda among literate Chinese . At the same time a daily tabloid the PAI
HSING PAO " The People's Journal , " a Japanese- edited " P.M. " in Chinese
made its appearance , evidently from the same presses . It was claimed that
75,000 copies of its first edition were sold .
* HONG KONG NEWS , January 27 , 1942 .
** Translations of these titles into English are as follows :
SING TAO -
Prosper the Island
WAH TSE Chinese Daily
HEUNG TAO YAT PO ---
Fragrant Isle Daily News
TIN YIN Heaven's Discourse
TSE YAU Freedom
-
SIN MAN News
NAM WAH --
South China
NAM WAH YAT PO South China Daily News
WAH KIU Overseas Chinese
TAI CHUNG The Great Masses
TSUN WAN The Revolving Globe
TAI KWONG The Great Light
TOA MAN PO The East Asia People's Press
- 94 -
The closest attention was from the beginning paid to the journalists as a
group . They were taken on tours of the repaired railway line , of the rebuilt
fortifications , and had their way paid for them on a trip to Canton . They were
shown propaganda films , supplied with special passes , and generally courted as
a specially influential group .
At a meeting of the Japanese Press Club on February 18 it was decided that
there should also be a Pressmen's Club to which Chinese could belong , and in
June the Chinese reporters assisted in grouping themselves together to form the
Chinese Press Association .
(5) Films and the Theatre . The theatre- loving Chinese are not only almost
inordinately fond of their own plays , but " movies " and " talkies " as well ; in
recognition of this fact the Japanese propaganda experts with the Army Informa
tion Bureau secured as one of their first acts the re-opening of the larg
er movie houses in both Hong Kong and Kowloon , for the showing of propaganda
films . Movie-goers saw graphic pictures of the attack on their own city , as
well as of the fighting in Malaya , the Philippines , and other scenes of combat .
Wang Ching - wei's visit of state to Tokyo was the subject of another reel . Houses
which were not showing propaganda films showed Chinese movies of the ancient
dramas , or Japanese movies sound- tracked for Cantonese . *
In June an attractive Japanese film star , accompanied by a leading man ,
minor part players , and her director and crew arrived in Hong Kong to work for
two months shooting realistic scenes in which troops , flame-throwers , bomb
--
ing planes and the whole equipment of warfare were used to make a movie of
the occupation of the Colony . ** It was to be sound- tracked in Japanese , Can
tonese , Mandarin , and later in foreign languages . ***
A propaganda play , with Chinese and Japanese actors , " Hong Kong's Hundredth
Christmas" the story of an incident in an air- raid shelter was also acted
on the Island's stages attracting according to the Japanese large audiences
and wide acclaim . ****
(6) Radio In the first week in January following the city's fall , the
old station JBW -- " Hong Kong calling "" went on the air as Station JPHA ,
operating on 1,154 kilocycles or 260 metres on the medium wave , with a daily
scheduled broadcast from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. , including recorded music and
news in Japanese , Cantonese and Mandarin .
* On January 20 , for instance , there were five moving picture houses open in Hong Kong :
the Central showing a propaganda film of war news ; the Cathay , showing a Chinese picture in
Mandarin ( with appropriate propaganda shorts ) ; the King's , offering a Japanese film ; the
Queen's , one in Mandarin , and the Oriental , one in Cantonese . On the same day nine moving
picture houses in Kowloon were showing Cantonese films , one was showing a Japanese film , and
two were giving Cantonese stage shows . ( HONG KONG NEWS , January 20 , 1942 ) . All of these
show and showings were of course interlarded with propaganda .
** HONG KONG NEWS , issues of June 8 , 10 , 14 , and 16 , 1942 .
*** It is irteresting that promptly upon the arrival of this troupe the Governor issued
( June 9 , HONG KONG NEWS ) his Order No. 26 creating a film censorship , and Public Notifica
tion No. 31 establishing a cinema co-operative , the two measures together giving complete
control . See enclosures No. 83 and 84 .
**** HONG KONG NEWS , June 21 , 1942 .
QUEEN VICTORIA TAKES A RIDE - The removal of the
statues in Statue Square commcommence
enced on Thursday :
Among the first to go was the statue of Queen Victoria,
which is seen being swung out from the position it had
occupied for decades.
HONG KONG NEWS, March 15 , 1942 .
95 -
-
During the following month the capacity of the station was considerably
increased , and on February 1l it began broadcasting simultaneously on short and
>
long wave , presenting also an extended local program . The press said of it ,
" The station will serve as a mighty wireless fort for the prevention of detri
mental enemy waves from reaching here . "
(7) Symbolic Acts . Apart from the formal vehicles of propaganda -- al
though sometimes employing them were the numerous and diverse sorties against
the white man that , grouped together , formed on of the subtlest and most effec
tive of the means which the Japanese took to stamp the consciousness of the
Chinese in Hong Kong . They were symbolic acts , expressive of a deep and abid
ing contempt . Of the countless illustrations of this technique which confronted
one continually in the Colony after the Japanese capture of it , we need cite
only two . Above Murray Field on Garden Road the British had newly built an
officer's mess hall ; the Japanese Army stabled their horses in it . * Like the
city of Washington , the Colony under its British rulers had made something of a
fetish of statues : the removal of them -- to be melted down for scrap was
carried out with some ostentation , beginning with that of Queen Victoria in
Statue Square , which was " taken for a ride " on March 12 , 1942 . **
C. Organizations .
(1) Hsing Ya Chi Kuan . For the promotion of the over-all idea of " Pan - Asia "
" Asia for the Asiatics , " the Japanese opened in Hong Kong a branch of the
Hsing Ya Chi Kuan literally , the " Promote ( or Revive ) Asia Organ "
CC
which
acted as a popular and public branch of the Information Bureau . It was staffed
by military as well as civilian officials , and represented just another vehicle
for the official theme ; it served in the organization of subordinate cadres
operating against specific weak spots in the Westerner's political armor .
(2) India Independence League . Of these weak spots the weakest is prob
ably India : the Japanese have long conceived of it as being to borrow a
phrase used by an eminent Englishman in a slightly different connection the -
" soft underbelly" of the United Nations in Asia , " A fruit ripe for the pluck
ing , a sector that begs to be attacked . " It is at once the theme and the object
of much of the most effective propaganda of the Japanese : they never tire of
holding it up before the other peoples of Asia as a " horrible example" of the
"" white man's imperialism . " India itself offers the promise of a political
victory of incalculable proportions .
The organ through which Japan exploits the opportunities which the West
affords her in this rich field of action is the India Independence League . The
League was formed in Tokyo by emigre Indian nationalists who fled to the protec
* The fact that the average Anglo-American muffs the point of a gibe like this does not make
it any less telling on the Chinese audience for whose benefit it is intended .
** A more direct assault on the white man's " prestige " was involved in the treatment accorded
the whole British and American communities in their internment but this is a subject which
would require a volume in itself adequately to describe . The reader need only be assured
that the Japanese lost no opportunity to accelerate or exploit for its implications in pro
paganda the degeneration which was inevitable in the conditions which they created for their
captives .
-
96 -
tion of the Japanese ; the first mention of the establishment of a branch in
Hong Kong appears in the NEWS of January 25 , 1942 , when it announced a mass
meeting to be held the following day -- " Indian Independence Day . "" The address
of the branch was given as 80 Nathan Road , and one Zahoor Ahmed was said to be
in charge of it .
The meeting , which was presided over by one Sohil Khan , supported by Messrs .
M. R. Malik and Zahoor Ahmed , all of whom were described as being representa
tives of the League in Canton , was attended by " several thousand persons . It
passed two resolutions , one to sever all relations with the British , and the
other :
" From to-day , January 26 , we make the determination that we shall
fight to the last , not only for the freedom of India but for the free
dom of the continent of Asia . "
Mr. Malik , who had proposed the resolutions , then made a speech , telling
his hearers :
11
... We all know full well that British rule in India has been
nothing but robbery , jobbery and snobbery ... The Imperial Japanese
Army is to-day fighting for the freedom of all Asiatic nations . We
are all fully aware of the might of the Great Nippon Army, which has
taken over the burden of putting an end to this century -old slavery
of the Asiatic nations . The Imperial Japanese Forces have already
put an end to the British and American resistance in Hong Kong and
the Philippines . Singapore is on the verge of collapse and the Japa
nese forces are marching into Burma , where the Burmese and our fellow
countrymen are doing their best to cooperate and help the Imperial
Army towards its great goal of freeing the Asiatic nations from the
yoke of slavery .
This statement keynotes the activities of the League from that time for
ward , and the uses to which the Japanese put it . A note tucked away in a cor
ner of the HONG KONG NEWS for February 9 ( 1942 ) suggests , for instance , that
the resumption by JPHA of short -wave broadcasting might give an opportunity for
" Hong Kong Indians to tell their brothers at home of the very generous treat
ment they are receiving at the hands of the Japanese , which is such a welcome
relief from the tyranny they suffered under the rule of the Union Jack . "
How often the Indians in Hong Kong were " allowed " to avail themselves of
this opportunity is not known , but a typical example is sufficient evidence that
the suggestion was carried into practice . On April 9 , 1942 , Mr. H. M. Parwani,
described as having been associated with the Indian National Congress for over
twenty years , and a former provincial congress leader of Sind , broadcast an
appeal to India to rise against Great Britain :
" ... We see before our very eyes the once proud British imperialism
crumbling to pieces before the onslaught of the Imperial Forces of
Nippon .... Today Japan stands at the doorway to India . Japan de
sires to see her Asiatic bretheren freed from Western imperialism .
- 97 -
" In my humble opinion , there is no reason whatsoever to doubt
the intentions of Japan with regard to India . "
He recalled the " massacre " at Amritsar , the jailing of Nehru , urged that Indians
be not beguiled by the Cripps ' mission , and closed :
" The Goddess of Freedom is knocking on your door . Have the cour
age and wisdom to receive her with open arms !"
Shortly after the fall of Singapore , the League despatched nine of its mem
bers to that port for propaganda among the Indian community there . An appeal to
all Indians everywhere in the world to unite to throw off the British yoke was
broadcast from Tokyo on the night of March 1 . Several days later this was
echoed in a broadcast from Hong Kong by D. M. Khan , described as the President
of the Hong Kong branch of the Independence League , who closed with the extra
ordinary exhortation : " ... drive the common enemy out by force , to save your
self and your country from the most dreaded and obnoxious disease of the whole
human race Britain ! "
The local press gave the widest display to reports of difficulties in India ,
a story in the NEWS of March 15 , for instance , stating under the headline
-
" Open Indian Rioting Leads to Bloodshed " that :
" Press despatches indicate that a slowly rising tide of unrest
is spreading in India , and from India to Arabia , as the British Crown
in the Far East totters dangerously ." **
In the latter part of March Mr. Khan flew to Tokyo , to attend there a con
ference of representatives of the League brought together by the Japanese from
various parts of Asia . It was decided to transfer the headquarters of the League
to some point closer to the borders of India . General Tojo received the repre
sentatives , and ( according to the NEWS account ) told them of Japan's determina
tion to crush Britain and America and assured them that Japan would do everything
possible to help India break away from the British yoke and attain her indepen
dence . Khan returned to Hong Kong with the optimistic assertion that , " From
what I saw in Japan I am fully confident that at the proper moment , the Japanese
Government will come forward to give its full cooperation towards attaining
India's independence . "
On the same day ( April 16 ) that this report was published , the NEWS noted
that some 400 of the 3,000 Indians in Hong Kong belonged to the League . Every
effort thereafter was made to increase this showing : The membership fee of the
League was only two dollars Hong Kong currency , and to increase its power in the
community , the Japanese gave it various prerogatives in the issuance of rice
rations , etc. which made it very advantageous , if not almost necessary , for an
Indian to belong to it . To reach other groups of Indians there were also later
formed an Indian Youth League , as well as a Hindu Association and a Muslim Leauge
The India Independence League continued the most active , however , and in
June it deputed representatives Khan , the Chairman , H. M. Parwani , the Sec
* This story is an excellent example of the way in which Japan used the situation in India
for propaganda purposes .
- 98 -
retary , and P. A. Krishna , the Social Secretary to go to the second congress
of representatives of the League in various parts of Asia , held this time in
Bangkok , where they were to choose a " Council for Action . " *
On June 20 of the same year the INQULAB , the weekly organ of the League in
Hong Kong , made its first appearance . Printed in Urdu , it was distributed free
of charge , and affords Japan one more channel through which to exert the con
stant pressure of its propaganda .
( 3 ) East Asia Cultural Association . To reach the circles of higher schol
arship , to secure access to those Chinese learned in their language and classics
who still write beautifully with the old brush - pen and who still wield a very
real influence among the Chinese the Japanese Army Press Section formed ,
C
within a month of Hong Kong's capture , a local branch of the " East Asia Cultural
Association , " which all persons in cultural circles were invited to join . Be
cause there is no real " Japanese culture" different and apart from the authen
tic culture ( contributed by China ) , and because in every sizeable group of
Japanese there are men who have a sincere appreciation and affection for the
older learning , the basis for a real fellowship exists here and the Japanese
manipulators of political warfare have not missed the opportunity it affords for
further spread of their doctrines .
(4) Labor Unions . Another such opportunity was afforded them by the
situation of labor in Hong Kong . The natural and spontaneous development of a
movement toward the organization of labor in the Colony had always been handi
capped by the circumstance that it could find no firm base in the constantly
changing laboring population of the Colony . And not only was there a constant
replacement of individuals through continual migration ; there had always been
at any given time a large labor surplus , depressing the labor market and making
the establishment of fair-wage standards very difficult . Over and above these
inherent problems , efforts to organize Hong Kong's labor were further handicap
ped by legislative enactments and attitudes surviving from the earlier history
of the movement in Hong Kong . Swept forward in the wave of a strong campaign
to organize labor in South China in the early 1920's , there had come into exist
ence the Hong Kong General Labor Union and the Chinese Seamen's Union . In the
reaction against the general strike in the Colony in 1925 , both of these organ
izations were declared unlawful . The passage in 1927 of the Illegal strikes and
Lockouts Ordinance , based on the even broader Trade Unions Act of the same year ,
made any strike illegal which was adjudged to have an object in addition to a
trade dispute , and forbade the control of any Hong Kong union by any union out
side of the Colony . These restrictions , combined with the inherent limitations
already noted , and with the fact that the movement in China proper and meanwhile
also suffered a sharp recession , brought labor organization in the Colony to a
virtual standstill . In 1939 the existence of 84 labor unions , with a total mem
bership of forty- four thousand , was recorded , but it was accurately noted of
them that they had become " little more than friendly societies concerned more
with the provision of funeral expenses for the dead than the improvement of the
conditions of the living . " **
* The expenses of the delegates were said to have been paid by levies on the Indian silk
merchants in Hong Kong .
** REPORT ( by the Labour Officer , Mr. H. R. Butters ) ON LABOUR and LABOUR CONDITIONS IN
HONG KONG , 11 April , 1939 .
- 99 -
There remained , however , a very real labor problem : for Hong Kong's capi
tal to show a profit , the wage standard had to be kept as low as it was in the
hinterland of China -- with which the Colony's products were in competition or
to which they were to be sold even though the cost of living for the common
C.
worker might be higher in Hong Kong and his housing more wretched and unhealth
ful because of the overcrowded conditions in the city . The lack of unions did
not remove the laborer's grievances ; it only left him without a place to go to
talk about them . *
It is probable too that had there been stronger unions in the Colony , the
laboring groups would have felt that they had a larger stake in the continuance
of the former Government's rule , but however that may be , the fact of importance
to the present study is that the absence of unions provided the Japanese with
one more situation to exploit in their efforts to discredit the West .
They took action immediately not in the direction of aiding the laborer ,
kut of controlling him , and of using the groups into which they , organized him
for propaganda purposes . Barely three weeks after the city's fall , one MA
Sar -sin , described as the " Secretary of the Hong Kong, and Kowloon Labour Assist
ance General Guild" gave an interview to reporters of the NEWS ** in which he
" described the objects of Hong Kong labour . " It held , he said , the most impor
tant position in social conditions , and " wages to be applied after workers have
returned to work are now under consideration . " He asserted that the largest
labor organizations in the Colony , such as the Engineers ' Guild and the Tramway
Workers ' Guild , were members of the General Guild . Subject to the permission
of the authorities , Mr. Ma said , and in accordance with the plans of the East
Asia Board ( the Hsing Ya Chi Kuan ) , all matters concerning labor would be dealt
with by the Guild's President , Mr. LAM Kin - yan , or by himself as its Secretary .
Shortly after the emergence of the " General Guild ," it was announced that
the " Chinese Seamen's and Associated Seafaring Trades Union " was reopening,
with regular offices , in Kowloon . The news report of the event *** said of its
formation , " a meeting has already been held , Mr. WU Weihing being appointed as
Chairman "
The Union had now invited delegates to attend and discuss Union affairs .
Mr. Wu then provided , for background purposes, a history of the Union . There
had been a Chinese Seamen's General Union nearly twenty years ago , Mr. Wu's
account related , which won one strike against the Hong Kong Government in 1922,
but was subsequently forcibly closed by the Government in 1925 .
A little over a year later , on January 26 , 1943 , a DOMEI report broadcast
from Tokyo stated that , " in view of the large-scale
- enlistment of mariners
which will become necessary with increased construction of merchant vessels ,
the Government General of Hong Kong is planning to establish a seamen's associa
tion in order to secure unified cooperation of the local sailors for the estab
lishment of the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity sphere . " While this report
•
* In the Chinese idiom ,
见 處 訴!"
om 有 無
** HONG KONG NEWS , January 17 , 1942 .
*** Appearing in the HONG KONG NEWS , January 22 , 1942 .
- 100 -
suggests the possibility that the Japanese found their earlier " Seamen's Union "
an inadequate instrument , it does again underline a fact of greater importance ,
however obvious it should be : and that is that the control of the authorities
over both " Unions" is complete .
3. That religion in the Occupied territories would not escape
Religion .
the attention of the Japanese was early indicated in Hong Kong . In January,
1942 the NEWS carried a DOMEI story from Tokyo assuring the subject peoples that
Japan would not interfere with the activities of religious bodies in Japan , the
Philippines , or other Occupied areas . " Protection of religious work is our
fundamental policy, " the Tokyo Information Board spokesman is quoted as having
said .
Not until May of the same year , however , were overt steps taken to extend
that " protection . " At that time all religious bodies and missionary societies
were informed that they must register . A report in the NEWS of June 17 , 1942,
stated that 71 religious organizations had by that date complied with the in
struction , and that all 71 had been granted permission to carry on their activi
ties . " If any of the bodies , " the article concluded , " which have been granted
permission to continue are found to be acting contrary to the interests of the
Government , they will be suppressed immediately ."
The final pay-off in this gracious policy of " non - interference " came in
February , 1943 . A broadcast from Tokyo dated February 26 reported :
" In order to cooperate more closely with the Japanese Christian
organization , 18 different Protestant sects in Hong Kong will be
united under the Hong Kong Christian Sect . The inauguration ceremony
is scheduled to be held on February 27 , with the representatives of
all the different sects attending . There are about 20,000 Christians
who belong to 82 different churches in Hong Kong . "
4. Amusements .
a. The Pool Halls . Reference has been made earlier to the extent to which
the Chinese took up gambling as a pastime after the surrender of the city : the
only rivals to that delightful euphemism " Pawn the Jewel" were the pool halls .
They were opened early in the morning and were crowded all day for many months
of the occupation .
b.
The Movies . A circumstance which made the moving-picture so effective
a vehicle for propaganda was that it too seemed to share in the patronage that
the mood of the populace brought to all places of amusement . Nor did this craze
seem to wear off , as did that for pool : they are " packin ' ' em in " still , in
Hong Kong as in Washington , with the same long patient lines . *
The Races . Perhaps to take some of the money that the people were
C.
intent upon spending on gambling , the Japanese authorities reopened the Hong
Kong Race Club , with proper ceremony and with the required number of obsequious
* American films are shown only at the Japanese Officers ' Club on Bonham Road , non-members
not admitted .
101 - -
quislings bowing to each other not too far in the background . A Chinese race
club committee was organized , the first meeting being held on April 25 and 26. *
It was required that owners register their ponies ; those unregistered were sold
at auction ( some 70 ) for ridiculously low prices ; ** all names had to be changed
to Japanese or Chinese . The first meeting was not heavily attended , and the
betting was light , probably because the public was expected to " put up " small
notes of full value -- and to accept whatever dividends they might win in the
large notes , worth only half their face value at best . At subsequent meetings
the attendance was better , and by Fall it was clear that whatever else might
have passed from Hong Kong , it would still have its races .
d. South China Athletic Association . One of the " papas " of Hong Kong
sport was LUKE Oi-wan , long the President of the South China Athletic Associa
tion . He believed that exercise was essential for health , and he urged upon the
Chinese Co-operative Council the desirability of reviving sports activities in
the Colony His initiative was doubtless sincere , but it was welcomed with en
thusiasm by the Japanese , who are even more ardent baseball fans than the Can
tonese . With their help and to a certain extent under their supervision , the
SCAA baseball teams were re-organized , other clubs reformed , the various Japan
ese military units had their own teams , and baseball again became a popular
sport in the Colony .
See enclosure No. 54 for the Governor's Order ( Public Notification No. 17 ) limiting racing
to the Club ; enclosure No. 57 for the Race Club's " Announcement. "
** Several went for H.K. $5.00 ; others for H.K. $15.00 ; some drew prices closer to their " pre
Pearl Harbor " valuations .
1
102 -
IV . THINGS AS THEY ARE .
A. Japanese Obiectives .
1. In the World . The rulers of Japan , those among her people who com
pletely represent her spirit and her aims , are now as they have always been , the
>
military classes .
Their religion is Wu Shih Tao Cast :)) , the " Way of the
Warrior," which they call " Bushido , " and which they have built upon a forgotten
phase of the Chinese philosophy of the latter days of the Chou Dynasty , some
five hundred years B.C. , in the period of the Warring States . For the Chinese
the phrase connoted a code of behavior for the soldier , for the Japanese it is
a way of life . The followers of Bushido cannot but be steeped in their twisted
interpretation of the history of the times out of which their law has come , and
they visualize the present world in terms of the struggle for hegemony among the
many independent and powerful Chinese states who then thought that they were
the world . For five hundred years there was a conscious struggle by war and
diplomacy among those states , each seeking to secure sufficient power to reduce
all the others . The poverty -stricken , half - barbarian state of Ch'in finally
accomplished this in China : Japan now seeks , by the reduction of the states
closest at hand , and by force or by wile , as best fits her purpose , to place
herself in the most favorable position possible for that coming struggle for
ultimate hegemony between the world's great states which the analogy of ancient
Asiatic history presents as inevitable .
2. In Asia . She had then to conquer Asia , and enlist its unnumbered
multitudes to her cause . A wonderful rallying cry had been put ready -made into
her hands , and the reading of the classic history of China had taught her to
wait her time . It has come , and she is already well on the way to the accom
plishment of this first vital stage of her program .
3. In Hong Kong . It is against this background that we must assess the
aims of Japan in Hong Kong , because in that city , as elsewhere in Asia , every
step must fit the program , every move must serve both the immediate objective
and the long- range plan . The general plan and the actual steps taken by the
Japanese in Hong Kong alike point to the clearest conclusions as to the Empire's
aims in the erstwhile British colony .
They are : first , defense , a primary essential to which everything else has
been subordinated ; second , to exploit to the limit Hong Kong's potential con
tribution to the prosecution of the war ; third , to assimilate the colony polit
ically into the Japanese Empire and economically into a pan-Asian system con
trolled by Japan ; and fourth , to employ it as a base from which to activate other
areas of Asia , hastening the time when they too will be assimilated .
B. Techniques .
1. The Withdrawal of Security . Over and above the actual capture of the
city , it was CS
as we have seen necessary to procure the accession of the
popul ace to the aims set for them . The chaos , the murder , the rape , the orgy
of looting , the withdrawal of all sanctions and the disappearance of any sense
- 103 -
of security , which followed upon the heels of the surrender , and which lasted
until the leading Chinese were forced to accept cooperation with Japan to pre
serve the precious virginity of their daughters and to save their own lives ,
need never have happened , save it had been regarded as a means to procure pre
cisely that end .
2. Access .
a. The Destruction of Independent Strength . Of a piece with this
coercion by anarchy were the steps taken to reduce the wealthy and one-time
influential members of the community to a position of dependence , to make them
accessible to control . The declaration that Hong Kong notes above the value
of $ 10.00 would not be accepted ( the rich had hoarded their wealth in gold ,
precious stones , and large notes ) ; the sealing of houses and residences ; the ex
actions and bribes ; and many of the other onerous acts that have been described
all worked to this end , as it seems only prudent to suppose they were intended
to do . The exorbitant cost of gas , light , and water ; the scarcity and very
high price of food ; the setting of the exchange for Hong Kong money at two and
later four dollars for one military yen ; the forced sale of property for that
same worthless currency ; the outright confiscations , all tended to wipe out
vested interests and to leave few residents with any support beyond that which
the Japanese authorities graciously vouchsafed them .
b. The Reduction of the Population . Repatriation , described elsewhere in
detail , amounts to another of the means whereby the population was rendered
more accessible to control and manipulation in any situation that might confront
the city : in this instance the reduction was in actual numbers , half of the
people in the city being sent out of it .
C. Perhaps the most characteristic means of
Organizational Control..
securing this required access to the individual Chinese was through the use of
groups , some of which were taken over as they stood -
such as the trade guilds ,
and others which were formed along lines familiar to the people who composed
them like the medical and dental associations . Through the skillful manipu
C
lation of these organizations , it was possible to pyramid power in such a way
that control at the top gave a small group of Japanese adequate access to whole
sections of the population . By multiplying this procedure through the various
phases of the city's life , any individual resident could be subjected to count
less facets of control .
d. The Control of Thought. The closest and most intimate of these chan
nels of access is that afforded by the control of the press , of education , and
of propaganda : through them the individual is formed , or directed, or changed ,
as the controller wishes him to be formed , directed , or changed .
3. The Vision . Through the control of thought which they thus secure the
Japanese are able to exercise the most elusive , and yet perhaps at the same
time one of the most effective , of their techniques of control : the adumbration
of the hazy vision of their world of the future which they offer to the people
whom they subjugate in exchange for all the losses and sufferings to which they
have been subjected . It is a world ruled by the sacred virtue of the Imperial
Way, from which the materialism of the white man is forever banished , where all
- 104 -
men are brothers , leading a life made warm and full and fruitful by the Japanese
spirit . In this vision many Japanese have the most fanatical faith , even though
they see it so obscurely and could not define it . Many thousands have died for
it , and like an erotic impulse it has been held to excuse almost every form of
the basest crimes .
C. Estimated Dividend .
1. On the Debit Side . The contrast between this vague promise and
the things that are actually happening around them is too great for most intel
ligent Chinese in Hong Kong . The words are fair , but the acts are too often
literally bestial . The cunning and altogether unscrupulous means which the
Japanese have followed in fastening their grip upon the vitals of the Colony
have deeply alienated and embittered whole sections of the populace . Even among
those who most resented British rule it is admitted without hesitation that
that of the Japanese is incomparably worse .
2. The Positive Gains . And yet the positive gains for the Japanese have
been enormous . The means which they took have achieved the aims which they
sought . If Hong Kong were cut off now by an attacking force as it was when the
Japanese attacked it , and even if the homeland had already been dealt a crip
pling body blow , the recapture of the Island would be a much more expensive pro
cess than was its acquisition . The forced removal of the excess population has
immensely simplified its defense , and meanwhile the occupying forces have been
working like beavers to extend the airfield , to fortify the Peak , to strengthen
every one of the weak points of which they availed themselves when they overran
the British defenders . It seems likely that in the second siege of Hong Kong
unless it comes after a complete collapse in Tokyo the Island will be defend
C
ed by a desperate garrison using all the means that they will then have at
their disposal .
At the same time Hong Kong makes an immediate and continuous contribution
to Japan's war effort as a repair dock for naval and merchant vessels , as well
as in serving as one of the principal construction bases for the wooden-ship
building program ; the cement , rubber goods , and other factories also play their
part in the fabrication of materials or articles necessary for the armed forces .
The same deliberate impoverishment and debasement of the upper and middle
classes which has made Japan so many articulate enemies among the Chinese from
Hong Kong has also served a very definite purpose in simplifying the political
assimilation into the Japanese Empire of the submerged nine-tenths of those
who remain . They cannot be too much worse off than they were before , and there
is always a chance that they might gain by the change . They are starving , but
it has never been their lot to be well fed . In the present situation of the
foreign commerce of the port it must also be noted that the conditions which
the Japanese have created tend to simplify the achievement of their objectives .
Such trade as can now be carried on has by sheer necessity to be limited to the
areas in Asia which Japan controls , and the longer she remains in possession the
- 105 - -
more complete this interdependence can be made , and the deeper the channels
can be cut . * It is only the merest incident that such profit as there may be
in that trade goes into the pockets of Japanese militarists and entrepreneurs ,
rather than into the counting boxes of Hong Kong Chinese .
If it be said that their treatment of the Chinese is self - defeating , and
undoes the effects of Japanese propaganda , it is well to remember that a strict
censorship controls everything that comes out of as well as all that goes
-
into - Japanese-controlled territory : the outpouring of the attack on the white
race and the " deluded Chungking militarists , " continues without abatement . Hong
Kong is a sounding board of Japanese propaganda , and those who listen to it are
predisposed by it to believe that every criticism of the Japanese is a calumny .
D. The Peril.
And it is in this racial warfare on a cultural plane , this access to
the minds of millions and millions of people throughout a quarter of the world
and for one year on end after another , that the real peril lies . The deadly
fact is the fact of the continued advance , of the swift crippling spread of a
virus that may yet poison the whole soul of Asia , and ultimately commit the
world to a racial war that might destroy the white man and decimate the Asiatic ,
with no possible future gain . Insomuch as the position of the European in Asia ,
prior to the renaissance of China , was based upon an assumption of superiority ,
it was historically doomed in any case , its premise being false . Any claim to
a cleansing function that this fire set by the Japanese may have had is already
met : the place of the taipan in Hong Kong and in Asia is altogether gone , and
gone is the dream-world of any foreigner who lived on exploitation . They are
ashes , but the flames that they lit and could not suppress still roar on , sear
ing the flesh and mind of Asia today as tomorrow they may well consume the West .
- # # # - -
* They are not new . An analysis of Hong Kong's trade for the first six months of the years
1936 , 37 , 38 and 39 indicates that , contrary to the generally accepted impression , roughly
two - thirds of the Colony's imports came from areas now controlled by Japan ; this would sug
gest that Hong Kong was tending to become more and more an interport for Asiatic trade , rath
er than a funnel through which Western goods were exchanged for those of China .
Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν DIX
LIST OF ENCLOSURES
All but the first four of the following list of enclosures
represent proclamations , notices , or press releases of the Japanese
Military Government of Hong Kong or of organs having an official
or semi-official relation to it or controlled by it . Every such
document the text of which appeared in the HONG KONG NEWS from
the first publication of that paper on January 1 , 1942 up to the
day of the GRIPSHOLM's sailing from Stanley Bay on June 30 of the
same year has been included . Several important orders which are
known to have been issued are lacking , and , on the other hand , for
the sake of the completeness of the file , some have been included
that will only be of interest to specialists in the particular
field affected . The biographical material in the first enclosure
is based upon data published in the 1940 and '41 editions of the
HONG KONG LIST , * supplemented by such notices as appeared in the
Japanese-controlled English-language press after the capture of the
Colony .
The second , third , and fourth enclosures are in the nature of
exhibits ; Enclosure No. 5 is the first of the list of official
documents , the others following it chronologically in the order
of the date of issuance or publication , as the case may be .
*
Copies of which were kindly loaned to the writer by Vice Consul Robert
C. Coudray for use in this study .
- 2 -
No. Enclosure Date
1 List of Persons Prominently Associated with
the Japanese in Hong Kong
2 Letter from a Mr. Gimson to the Japanese December 28 ,
Colonel in Charge 1941
3 Speech of Lieutenant General Takashi Sakai January 12 ,
to the leaders of the Chinese community 1942
in Hong Kong
4 Editorial in the HONG KONG NEWS entitled January 14 ,
" Defence of Hong Kong " believed to 1942
reflect the Chinese reaction to the
British defeat
5
Proclamation of the Commander - in - Chief of December 25 ,
the Army of Great Nippon listing crimes 1941
and their punishment under martial law
6 Statement in the press entitled " Assurance January 2 ,
to Population Protection of Lives and 1942 .
Property "
7 Notice of the Civil Department of the January 1 ,
Japanese Army requesting Chinese Civil 1942
Servants to resume their functions as
soon as possible .
8 Water Supply Notice issued by the Civil January 1 ,
Department of the Japanese Army , warning 1942
against wastage while repairs are being
effected
9 Notice issued by the Commander- in-Chief of January 14 ,
the Japanese Army that circulation of big 1942
notes is for the time being permitted .
10 Notice issued by the Commander of the January 16 ,
Imperial Gendarmerie to alien nationals 1942
requiring them to present themselves at
the Foreign Affairs Section to obtain
Movement Certificates
11 Notice of the Gendarmerie to alien January 19 ,
nationals in Kowloon similar to the above 1942
12 Notice issued by the Commander- in-Chief of January 27 ,
the Japanese Army permitting a limited 1942
withdrawal by depositors from named banks
- 3 -
No. Enclosure Date
13 Notice to Third Nationals requiring them February 4 ,
to report new addresses 1942
14 Notice of the Japanese Army Economic Bureau , February 6 ,
listing banks permitted to resume business , 1942
and stating amounts permitted to be with
1 drawn
15 Notice of the Japanese Economic Department February 7 ,
listing numbers of safe deposit boxes in 1942
named banks which are to be opened
16 Imperial Army Notice forbidding the firing February 11 ,
of firecrackers 1942
17 Notice of the Acting Japanese Consul General February 21 ,
stating that the Consulate General is be 1942
ing closed
1
18 Order of the Day of Lt. General Isogai , February 20 ,
" Wise Consel to the People of Hong Kong " 1942
19 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 5 , setting March 8 , 1942
the hour of Curfew at 11:00 P.M.
20 Public Health Notice ordering the institu March 8 , 1942
tion of a Cleansing Campaign
21 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 6 requiring March 9 , 1942
the return of arm bands
22 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 7 warning March 10 , 1942
that persons falsely assuming military
uniforms will be severely punished
23 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 8 , " So that March 10 , 1942
the people may understand what conduct is
treated as an offense under Military Law "
24 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 9 , announce March 10 , 1942
ing the establishment of a court of
Justice
25 Wanchai District Bureau Notice ordering March 11 , 1942
the cleansing of private homes
26 Public Health Notice instituting a cleansing March 14 , 1942
campaign
- 4 -
No.
Enclosure Date
27 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 10 extending March 16 , 1942
permission to depositors in listed banks
to withdraw up to HK$ 150 .
28 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 11 permitting March 22 , 1942
the withdrawal from the Kowloon Branch of
the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank of HK $ 200
29 Hong Kong Government Notice No. 12 requiring March 25 , 1942
persons having motor cars to apply to the
Land Communications Section
30 Public Notification of the Hong Kong Govern
ment requiring owners of vehicles to apply
for permission to continue to use them
31 Governor's Order No. 9 , " Laws for the Rule of March 29 , 1942
the Captured Territory of Hong Kong"
32 Hong Kong Government Public Notification No. March 26 , 1942
2 requiring holders of Third National
Certificates to apply for extensions
33 Hong Kong Government Public Notification March 30 , 1942
No. 5 naming countries to which mail will
be accepted
34
Hong Kong Government , Governor's Order No. March 28 , 1942
11 ; " Regulations of the Chinese Co
operative Council "
35 Governor's Order No. 12 revising postal March 31 , 1942 1
charges
36 Official statement to the Press , setting March 31 , 1942
forth the aims underlying the laws pro
mulgated by the Governor on March 28
37 Hong Kong Government Public Notification March 30 , 1942
No. 6 requiring Third Nationals to pro
cure new certificates
38
Hong Kong Government Public Notice No. 7 April 7 , 1942
naming banks to be liquidated
39 Hong Kong Government Public Notification April 7 , 1942
No. 13 releasing safe deposit boxes in
listed banks
40 Notice requiring Norwegians to report to April 11 , 1942
the Foreign Affairs Section
- 5 -
No. Enclosure Date
41 Notice of the Bank of Taiwan listing banks April 11 , 1942
which it will liquidate
42 Notice of the Yokohama Specie Bank , as April 11 , 1942
above
43 Hong Kong Government , Governor's Order No. April 16 , 1942
13 , establishing bureaus to govern the
captured territory
44 Hong Kong Government Governor's Order April 16 , 1942
No. 14 , determining the areas to be
governed by the respective bureaus
45 Hong Kong Government Public Notification April 16 , 1942
No. 10 -- requiring the registration of
religious bodies
46 Hong kong Governmezt , Governor's Order No. April 16 , 1942
15 , " Regulations for Private Classes in
the Nipponese Language "
47 Public Notification No. 12 , listing the April 20 , 1942
new name of streets and roads in the
captured territory
48 Hong Kong Government , Public Notification April 17 , 1942
No. 13 , extends free service in filling
of forms required by Order No. 9
49 Hong Kong Government , Governor's Order April 20 , 1942
No. 18 , limiting postal matter
50 Hong Kong Government , Public Notification April 20 , 1942
No. 15 , concerning opening of private
schools and kindergartens
51 Public Notification No. 14 , opening letter April 20 , 1942
boxes
52 Statement of the Education Department April 21 , 1942
53 Public Notification No. 16 , announcing the April 20 , 1942
opening of branch Postoffices
54 Public Notification No. 17 , limiting Race April 21 , 1942
Neetings to the Hong Kong Race Club
55 Hong Kong Government Public Notification April 22 , 1942
No. 18 , giving form for application for
teachers
- 6 -
No. Enclosure Date
56 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 19 April 23 , 1942
removing the Cable Office
57 Race Club Announcement April 25 , 1942
58 Requirements for those leaving Hong Kong April 29 , 1942
59 Hong Kong Govt . Governor's Order No. 19 , April 28 , 1942
Telephone Regulations for the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong
60 Race Club Announcement requesting that April 30 , 1942
owners claim their ponies ; unclaimed
ponies to be auctioned
61 Notice of the Yokohama Specie Bank setting May 5 , 1942
release date on safe deposit articles
62 Hong Kong Public Notification No. 20 May 6 , 1942
forbidding movement , purchase or sale
of certain commodities
63 Hong Kong Govt . Fublic Notice No. 14 May 12 , 1942
re Bank of East Asia
64 Fublic Notification No. 22 , requiring May 12 , 1942
registration of telephones
65 Notice of the Bank of Taiwan re with May 14 , 1942
drawals etc. from listed banks
66 Yokohama Specie Bank Notice , as above May 14 , 1942
67 Governor's Order No. 20 , " Regulations of May 11 , 1942
the Analytical Laboratory of the
Office of the Governor"
68
Bank of Taiwan Notice re safe deposit box May 17 , 1942
release dates
69 Public Notification No. 23 , fees for
> May 18 , 1942
operation of rickshaws
70 Public Notification No. 24 , Banks added to May 20 , 1942
list of those to be liquidated
71 Public Notification No. 25 , stating that May 23 , 1942
there is nothing to prevent persons
owning damaged houses from repairing them
72 Yokohama Specie Bank Notice extending time May 24 , 1942
limits for payments
- 7 -
No. Enclosure Date
73 Notices in re the liquidation of enemy May 26 , 1942
banks
74 Public Notification No. 26 , stating penalties May 30 , 1942
for the violation of Governor's Order No. 21
75 Supplement to Governor's Order No. 21 May 31 , 1942
" Regulations for Police Punishments "
76 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 27 , June 1 , 1942
stating that the documents required under
Governor's Order No. 9 Item 21 , paragraph
2 , need not now be attached to the applica
tion
77
Public Notification No. 28 , noting certain May 30 , 1942
changes in the handling of mail
78 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 29 June 3 , 1942
naming hospitals controlled by the Office
of the Governor and stating their special
services
79
Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 30 , June 3 , 1942
designating the places where sea bathing
is allowed
80
Public Notice enumerating conditions under June 5 , 1942
which articles deposited with the Canton
branches of stated banks will be returned
to their owners
81
Notice giving dates on which articles held June 6 , 1942
in safe custody by the Kowloon branch of
the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation
will be released
82 Notice of the Bank of Taiwan stating that it June 6 , 1942
is undertaking the liquidation of the
Credit Foncier
83 Hong Kong Govt . Governor's Order No. 26 June 5 , 1942
setting forth the regulations enacted
for the censorship of moving picture films
84 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 31 , June 8 , 1942
establishing a Hong Kong Cinema Cooperative
85 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 32 , June 10 , 1942
regulations governing typhoon signals
- 8 -
No. Enclosure Date
86 Hong Kong Govt. Public Notification No. 33 , June 10 , 1942
Setting forth the typhoon refuges to which
shipping is instructed to go when typhoon
warnings are issued .
87 Notice of the Bank of Taiwan giving certain June 12 , 1942
information concerning the liquidation of
stated banks , with time when payments will
start , etc.
88 Notice of the Yokohama Specie Bank , June 12 , 1942
identical with the above , covering banks
which it is liquidating
89 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 32 , June 12k , 1942
setting forth and explaining the typhoon
signals
90 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 36 , June 20 , 1942
requiring all those who wish to practice
medicine or dentistry in the Captured
Territory to secure permission to do so
91 Hong Kong Govt . Public Notification No. 37 , June 20 , 1942
setting forth alterations in the method
of writing mail addresses
92 Public Notice of the purchase of police dogs June 25 , 1942
by the Governor's office of the occupied
territory of Hong Kong
93
Hong Kong Government , Public Notice No. 14 , June 25 , 1942
concerning the removal of persons inhabiting
the areas at Kai Tak Airfield where the air
field is to be expanded
94 Hong Kong Government - Instructions issued June 27 , 1942
to restaurants , containing 14 rules of sani
tation
95 Statement issued by the Acting Chief of the June 28 , 1942
Public Works Department to enable Chinese
and Third Nationals working under him to
understand the true policy of the Government
- 9 C
Enclosure No. 1 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
"Hongkong under Japanese Occupation . '
LIST
of
Persons Prominently Associated
with the Japanese in Hongkong
ATIENZA , Dr. V. N.
General Medical practitioner ; Committee , Craigen
gower Cricket Club (HKN Hong List '41 ) ; scheduled as
tagalog speaker at welcome to Lt. Gen. Rensuke Isogai ,
1
Jap . Governor of Hongkong . ( HKN Feb. 17 '42 ) . President
of Filipino Ass'n ; gave address of welcome on behalf of
Filipine community at welcoming ceremonies to Isogai
1
(HKNews Feb. 26 '42 ) .
CHAN Lim - Pak
Board of Directors , China Emporium Limited ( Hong
List '41 ) ; one- time Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of
Commerce in Canton ; arrested during the siege of
Hongkong by the British authorities on suspicion of
fifth - column activities directed at seizure of
Hongkong; April 17 , appointed member of Chinese
Representative Council , bringing number of members
to total of four ( HKNews April 18 '42 ) ; Chan's in
fluence believed to rest on his connection with the
Chinese underworld in Hongkong .
CHAN Pok
Member of the staff ( editor? ) of the Canton CHUNG
SHAN YAT PO , and spokesman for the party of pressmen
brought from Canton to Hongkong on a visit in April ,
'42 (HKNews April 24 '42 ) .
CHEUNG Koo-shan
Permanent official , East Asia Cultural Ass'n ; elected
at first executive meeting of the Ass'n on Feb. 23 , 42
( HKNews Feb. 24 , 42 ) .
- 10 -
CHEUNG Suk - shun
Member , Executive Committee ( of 5 ) of Hongkong
Chinese Bankers Association formed under Japanese auspices
( HKNews April 12 '42 ) .
CHOW Honorable Sir Shouson , Kt . , C.N.G.
Unofficial Justice of the Peace ; Chairman China Enter
tainment & Land Investment Company , Ltd .; China Emporium ,
Ltd .; Director , Hongkong Telephone Co. , Ltd .; Hongkong
Tramways , Ltd .; Hongkong Electric Co. , Ltd .; International
Assurance Co. , Ltd .; Chairman , Bank of East Asia , Ltd .;
College Council , St. Paul's Girls ' College ; Hon . President ,
Chung Hsing Benevolent Society ; patron Chinese Recreation
Club ; vice-patron , St. John Ambulance Association & Brigade ;
and President , South China Athletic Association . ( Hong List ,
1941 ) Vice-Chairman of the Hongkong Rehabilitation Advisory
Committee ( Hongkong News ) ; upon dissolution of that body
with formation on March 28 '42 of two Councils , became Chair
man of the Chinese Co-operative Council .
CHUNG Wai- fun
Assistant Police Commissioner ( HKN March 5 '42 - article
on garbage dumpers ) .
CHUNG Yung
Official in charge of the District Bureau at Mongkok ,
Kowloon ( HKN Feb. 6 '42 ) .
FUNG HO
Official in charge of the District Bureau at Yaumati ,
Kowloon . ( HKN Feb. 6 '42 ) .
GIDUMAL , 0. , K.
Special general meeting of HINDU ASSOCIATION to be held
at his offices March 15 , 1942 , advertised in papers of March
14 '42 ( HKNews ) .
.
GILL , B. S.
Secretary , India Independence League of Hongkong ( HKNews
Feb. 23 '42 ) .
- 11 -
-
HO Kom Tong
0.B.E. , Kt . of Grace , Ven . Order of St. John of
Jerusalem Silver Donat Badge , St. John Ambulance Association
and Brigade ; director , Hongkong & Canton Ice Manufacturing
Company , Ltd. ( Hong List , 1941 ) ; Appointed Chairman , Sub
committee on Arrangements for Celebration fall of Singapore
( Hongkong News , Feb. ll , 1942 ) . Chairman of the Stewards
of the re-opened H. K. race course ( HKNews Feb. 27 '42 ) .
HO T'UNG , Sir Robert
Principal , Sir Robert Ho Tung ; director , Green Island
Cement Co. , Ltd .; Hongkong Telephone Co. , Ltd .; Hongkong &
Shanghai Hotels , Ltd .; Hongkong Rope Manufacturing Co. , Ltd .;
Hongkong Engineering & Construction Co. , Ltd .; Hongkong ,
Canton & Macao Stear.ship Co. , Ltd .; China Provident Loan &
Mortgage Co. , Ltd .; Hon . Vice President , Hongkong University
Union ; and Consulting Committee Douglas Steamship Co. , Ltd.
( HK Hong List , '41 ) ; gave interview promising complete co
operation with the Japanese in the reconstruction of Hongkong
( HKNews , March 29 , '42 ) article alleged that he was received
by Governor Isogai , and made same statements to him .
IP Kui-ying
Life Agent , International Assurance Co. , Ltd. , ( HK Hong
List '41 ) ; member Racing Committee of Hongkong Jockey Club
as reformed by the Japanese (HK News , March 7 , '43 ) .
IP Lan Chuen
J. P. , director , H. K. Commercial Institute ; Vice - Chair
>
man , Sub-committee on Arrangements for Celebration fall of
Singapore , ( H. K. News , Feb. ll , 1942 ) .
KHAN , Dost Mohammed
Staff , Medical Department ; hon . , treas . , Indian Muslim
Society ( Hong List '41 ) ; Chairman , India Independence League
( object : to enlist all able-bodied Indians here to prepare
them for the struggle towards independence ) . ( HKNews Feb.
23 42 ) ; speech of welcome on behalf of Indians at welcoming
ceremonies to Gov. Isogai on Feb. 25 42 ( HKNews Feb. 26 '42 ) ;
appeal to all Indians everywhere to " break the chains of sub
jugation " and sacrifice themselves to gain India's freedom (HKN
March 5 '42 ) ; proceeded to Japan to discuss Indian political
1
problems with Mr. Rash Behari Bose , leader of Indian inde
pendence movement in Japan ( HKNews , March 20'42 ) to attend
CE
meeting of 700 in all at Veno Park in Tokyo on March 20 at
which Hiroto urged Indians " Not to lose this golden oppor
tunity for independence which has been offered them by the
Japanese Government " ; party for Bose , attended by many
ranking Japanese (?) ( HKNews March 23 '42 ) .
- " 12 -
KONG Kai-tung
Welcomed Colonel Nishigawa , Chief of the Hong Press
Bureau on behalf of the Press of Hongkong at party at Kin
1
Kwok Restaurant March 22 42 (HKNews March 23 , 42 ) ; had
served as Member , Committee on Preparations for Celebration
Fall of Singapore ( HKNews Feb. 13 '42 ) ; toastmaster and repre
sentative of Hongkong pressmen at welcome in Kin Kwok
Restaurant to visiting Chinese ( under Jap . auspices ) from
Canton (HKNews April 24 42 ) .
KONG Po - tin
Permanent Officer of East Asia Cultural Ass'n : elected
at first executive meeting of Ass'n . held on Feb. 23 42
( HKNews Feb. 24 42 ) .
KOTEWALL The Honorable Sir Robert , KT . , C.M.G. , LL.D.
Principal , R. H. Kotewall & Co .; unofficial member ,
Executive Council ; Managing Director , Wo Shing Co. , Ltd .;
member of the Council of the University of Hongkong ; Director ,
China Provident Loan & Mortgage Co. , Ltd .; member , Economics
Society ; vice-patron , St. Johns Ambulance Association and
Brigade ; Hon . President , Chung Sing Benevolent Society ;
patron , Hongkong Chinese Recreation Club ; vice president ,
Children's Playgrounds Association ; Hon . President , South
China Athletic Association ; Chairman , St. Paul's College ;
Hon . Vice-President , Hongkong University Union ; patron ,
Diocesan School Old Boys ' Association ; and President ,
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ( Hong List
1941 ) ; Chairman of the Hongkong Rehabilitation Advisory Com
mittee ( Hongkong News ) ; gave principal address of welcome at
ceremonies welcoming arrival of Governor Isogai on Feb. 25 ;
acted as master of ceremonies , led cheers , and gave closing
speech ( HKNews Feb. 26 '42 ) ; with dissolution of Rehab . Adv .
Committee , became Chairman of three-man Chinese Representative
Council ( HKN , April 1 " 42 ) .
.
KRISHNA , K.
Managing Proprietor , H. K. United Trading Co. ( HK Hong
List , '41 ) ; signed advertisement of meeting HINDU ASSOCIATION
in offices of 0. K. Gidumal , to be held March 15 , 1942 ( HKNews,
March 14 , 42 ) .
KRISHNA , Nava
Indian , writer of letter pub . in HKNews Feb. 20 , '42 , fall
of Singapore " means a new day is dawning for us , as the road to
our independence is clearing .. " . ( Only KRISHNA listed in Hong
Book is KRISHNA K.,managing Proprietor , H.K.United Trading Co. )
13 - '
KRISHNA , P. A.
Secretary , India Independence League of Hongkong ( HKNews)
Feb. 23 '42 ) .
KWOK , Chuen
Represented the Chamber of Commerce for Foreign Goods
at meeting held on January 21 , 1942 to " Discuss Development
of Business" in Hongkong called by Chief of Economic Section
of the Civil Administration department and at which repre
sentative of military authorities was present .
KWOK Chun -shing
Head of the Sanitary Section of the Central District
Bureau ( HKN Feb. 15 '42 ) .
LAM Kin Yau
Member , Comm . on Preparations Celebration fall of
Singapore ( HKN Feb. 13 42 ) . .
LAU Tit-shing
Member , Hongkong Rehabilitation Advisory Committee ,
President , Chinese-Japanese Returned Students ' Assn . " Fall
of Singapore will be of great benefit to overseas Chinese ...
Britain has encouraged Japan and China to slaughter each
other , hoping that she could profit by their wounds to
swallow them up both at once ... We must fight there ( in Burma )
with the ferocity of animals ... Our method must be to add the
totality of our Chinese forces to the Japanese Army and fight
together . " ( HKNews Feb. 17 , '41 ) ; when HK Rehab . Advisory
Committee dissolved with appointment of two Councils , became
member of three- man Chinese Representative Council ( HKN
April 1 , '42 ) ; Chairman , Japanese-organized Hongkong Chinese
Bankers ' Association ( HKNews April 12'42 ).
LEE Lan Sum
Official in charge of the District Bureau at Honghom ,
Kowloon ( HKN Feb. 6 , 42 ) .
LEUNG Fu- cho
Member , Committee on Preparations Celebration fall of
Singapore (HKN Feb. 13 , 42 ) . .
LEUNG Kai
Official in charge of the Tsimshatsui District Bureau ,
Kowloon ( HKN Feb. 6 , '42 ) .
- 14 -
LI Chung Po
Manager , Sui Shing Co. ( HONG LIST ) Member of Committee .
( HKN ) .
LI King-hong
Education representative on the Chinese Co-operative
Council ; discussed revival of education in Hongkong with
Mr. NAGAO , Chief of the Education Department , on April 4 ,
'42 (HKN April ll , '42 ) .
LI , Koon Chun ( given name also spelled Koon Chung )
Director , Bank of East Asia , Ltd. ( Hong List) ; Member
of Rehabilitation Advisory Committee ( HKN ) ; Vice Chairman ,
Chinese Co-operative Council , created March 28 , 1942 ( HKN
1
April 3 , '42 ) .
LI , Tse Fong
Unofficial Justice of the Peace ; manager , Bank of East
Asia , Ltd .; Director , Hongkong , Canton & Macao Steamboat
Co. , Ltd .; Green Island Cement Co. , Ltd .; China Emporium ,
Ltd .; China Underwriters , Ltd .; China Provident Loan &
Mortgage Co. , Ltd .; Deputy Chairman , Macao Jockey Club ;
Acting Unofficial Member , Legislative Council ; Hon . Treasurer ,
St. Paul's Girls ' College . ( Hong List , 1941 ) Member of Com
mittee . (HKN ) Rehabilitation Advisory Committee -- and on
its dissolution ( March 31 '42 ) became one of three members
of Chinese Representative Council HKNews April l , '42 ) ; Vice
Chairman of Jap . organized HK Chinese Bankers Ass'n . ( HKNews ,
April 12 , '42 ) .
LI Yiu Cheung
Member , Comm . of Preparations Celebration fall of Singa
pore ( HKN , Feb. 13 , 42 ) .
LI Tung
Chief Accountant , Bank of East Asia , Ltd. ( HL '41 ) Member
Committee on Preparations Celebration fall of Singapore (HKN
Feb. 13 , '42 ) :
LING Hong Fat
Chief Executive , the Hongkong & Kowloon General Labor
Association organized after the fall of Hongkong ; 62 member
organizations in Hongkong & 85 in Kowloon ( HKN ews April 17
42 ) .
LO Honorable Mr. M. K. (Man - Kam )
Solicitor and notary public , Lo & Lo ; Director , Hongkong
& Shanghai Hotels , Ltd .; Hongkong Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. ,
Ltd .; China Light & Power Co. , Ltd .; Hon . member , Hongkong
University Law & Commerce Society ; Vice President , Hongkong
Branch of the English Association ; unofficial member , Legis
lative Council ; Hon . Legal Adviser , New Territories Agri
cultural Association of Hongkong ; Vice-Patron , St. John
Ambulance Association ; Hon . Vice President , Hongkong Uni
versity Union ; Chung Sing Benevolent Society ; Hongkong Foot
ball Assoc . ( Hong List , 1941 ) Member of Rehab . Advisory Com
mittee (HKN ) .
LO Yuk - tong
Compradore , Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd. , managing
director , Bakilly Co. , Ltd. ( Hong List '41 ) ; member , Com
mittee on Preparations for celebration of fall of Singapore
( H.K.N. , Feb. 13 '42 ) .
LUK Tan-lam
Permanent official , East Asia Cultural Ass'n ; elected
at first executive meeting of Ass'n , held on Feb. 23 , 42
( HKNews, Feb. 24 42 ) .
LUKE Oi - wan
Chinese Representative , New Zealand Insurance Co. , Ltd .;
College Council , St. Paul's Girls ' College ; President , South
China Athletic Ass'n . ( HL '41 ) ; Member , Committee on Prepara
tions Celebration fall of Singapore ( HKN Feb. 13 '42 ) ; re
ferred to as " Chairman " of SCAA ( HKN April 10 ( 42 ) in move to
co-operate with Japanese in revival of sports .
MA Kiam
Vice Chairman , East Asia Cultural Ass'n ; elected at first
1
executive meeting of Ass'n . held on Feb. 23 , '42 ( HKNews ,
Feb. 24 '42 ) ; ( SAU CHOI literary name or familiar name ? )
M. A. , Lecturer , Chinese literature , University of Hongkong
( Hong List , '41 ) .
MA San
Member , Committee on Preparations Celebration fall of
Singapore (HKN Feb. 13 , 42 ) .
MA Ying
Represented the Rice Importers ' Association at meeting
held on January 21 , 1942 to " discuss development of business "
>
in Hongkong called by Chief of Economic Section of the Civil
Administration Department and at which representative of Mili
MALIK , R.
Cne of the leaders of the India Independence League
(HKN March 5 '42 -- picture addressing group ) .
MELWANI , F. T.
Secretary of the Sind Merchants ' Assn . " All Indians in
H.K. very grateful for the good treatment accorded them by
the Japanese . .... Congress would cooperate with the Japanese
in establishment of new order . " ( H.K. News , Feb. 13 , 42 ) .
Member , Indian Assn . of H.K. & S. ( Hong List , '41 ) .
NG Wah
Member , Comm . on Preparations Celebration fall of Singa
pore (HKN Feb. 13 '42 ) .
NG Yee - kong i
Official in Charge of the District Bureau at Shamshipo
(HKN Feb. 6 , 42 ) .
OMAR , 0. M.
Private Secretary , China Coast Traders , Ltd. ( Hong List
1
'41 ) ; speaker at meeting of India Independence League , May 3 ,
'42 ( HKNews May 4 , '42 ) .
PAN , S. H.
Member , Racing Committee of Hongkong Jockey Club formed
by Japanese ( HKNews , March 7 , '42 ) .
PANG Yuk Lan
Title not stated reports of different matters handled
by Kowloon District Bureaus to go through his office at former
1
Health Centre on Nathan Road (HKN , Feb. 6 , 42 ) .
PARDESI , G. S.
Member , Managing Committee of the Happy Valley Sikh
Temple ; appealed to all employers to allow Sikhs to attend
ceremony April il in celebration of the Basakhi festival and
to pay their respects to many hundreds who lost lives in
Amritsar Massacre on April 13 , 1919 ; free food to be served
( HKN April 10 , '42 ) .
- 17 -
PARWANI , Hundraj M.
Author of long letter attacking Britain in India and
urging Indians to pray for liberation at the hands of " our
friendly ally Japan " ( HKNews March 22 , '42 ) ; presided over
meeting of Indian community in memorial to four members of
India Independence League who were killed in plane crash on
1
March 3 on their way to conference in Tokyo ( HKN April 5 , 42 ) ;
broadcast appeal to fellow Indians in India to not be " beguiled
and trapped by Sir Stafford Cripps ' missions and to have the
" courage and wisdom to act now " in receiving the " Goddess of
1
Liberty " knocking at their door . ( HKN April 10 , '42 ) ; broad
cast an appeal in Sindhi to the people of his native province
urging them to revolt ; to arm themselves and await the appear
ance of an Indian Army on the borders of India coming to
liberate them ; May 17 , '42 ( HKN May 18 , '42 ) .
PIH , H. C.
Member , Racing Committee of the Hongkong Jockey Club as
reformed by the Japanese (HKNews March 7 , 42 ) .
POON Shunt - um
Member , Executive Committee ( of 5 ) of Hongkong Chinese
Bankers ' Association formed under Japanese auspices .
SAMY , A. R. M.
Chief Meter Inspector , China Light & Power Co. , Ltd .;
committee , Hongkong Muslim Mutual Aid Society ( Hong List '41 ) ;
chairman of meeting of India Independence League held at the
Dina House May 3 , '42 ( HKNews, May 4 , 42 ) .
SHARMA , P. N.
Speaker at memorial meeting held in Hongkong April 4 , at
which Indian community was largely represented , for four
Singapore representatives of India Independence who crashed
between Shanghai and Japan . Author of bitter anti-British
1
article in HKNews April 21 , '42 , "INDIA MUST REVOLT Passive
Resistance now ripe for armed action . " .
SIN , Peter H.
Solicitor , principal , P. H. Sin & Co .; vice-president ,
Chung Shing Institute of Commerce ; committee , Diocesan School
old Boys ' Association ; vice - patron , St. John's Ambulance
Brigade ; and Director , Y's Men's Club of Hongkong . ( Hong List ,
1941 ) ; Appointed chairman of the District Affairs Bureau and
concurrently head of the Central District by Japanese military
authorities on or about January 21 , 1942 ( HKN ) .
- 18 -
-
SINGH , H.
Signature appearing under letter published in HKNews
March 5 , '42 , attacking British ; another letter in same vein
published April 12 , '42 in EKNews signed " HUKAM SINGH ."
TAI Yeuk Lan
Official in charge of the District Bureau at Kowloon
City ( HKN Feb. 6 , 42 ) .
TAM , Honorable Mr. W. N. T.
( Nga-shi check identity ) Unofficial member , Legislative
-C
Council ; Hon . Member , Economics Society ; Vice-President ,
.
Children's Playgrounds Association ; Hon . President , South China
Athletic Association ( Hong List , '41 ) ; Member of Rehabilitation
Advisory Committee ( HKN ) .
TANG , Yat-yan
Represented the Overseas Chinese Bank at meeting held on
January 21 , 1942 to " Discuss Development of Business" in
Hongkong called by Chief of Economic Section of the Civil
Administration Department and at which representative of
military authorities was present .
TONG , Ching kan
Head of Kowloon Markets Bureau which undertook under
Japanese supervision to re-open Kowloon markets in Feb. ,
1942 . ( HKNews, Feb. 9 , 1942 ) . 1941 Hong List shows C. K.
Tong to be teacher in St. Joseph's College , 7 Kennedy Road ,
H. K.
TONG , Ping - tat
Represented the Nam Pak Hong merchant houses , at meeting
held on January 21 , 1942 to " Discuss Development of Business"
in Hongkong called by Chief of Economic Section of the Civil
Administration department and at which representative of
military authorities was present .
TSE - Kapo
J. P. , Director , Hongkong Commercial Institute ( Hong List
)
41 ) ; member , Committee on Preparations for Celebration fall
1
of Singapore (H. K. News , Feb. 13 , '42 ) .
- 19 -
TSENG Kwong - kung
Permanent official , East Asia Cultural Ass'n , elected
at first executive meeting of Ass'n . held on Feb. 23 , 42
( HKNews Feb. 24 , '42 ) .
TUNG , Chung -wei ( last character also translite.ated Wai )
Treasurer , Chinese Chamber of Commerce . ( Hong List )
Member of Committee . (HKN ) .
Represented Chinese Chamber of Commerce at meeting held
on January 21 , 1942 to " discuss development of business" in
Hongkong called by Chief of Economic Section of the Civil
Administration Department and at which representative of mili
tary authorities was present . Chairman , Gold & Silver Ex
change opened Feb. 19 , '42 (HKN Feb. 20 , '42 ) .
VASWANI , D. W.
President of the Indian Silk Merchant's Association
1
(HKN April 18 , '42 ) .
WALLER , P. A.
Staff , BENJAMIN & POTTS , Stock & Share Brokers , Stock
Exchange Building ( HL '41 ) ; WALLER , F. A. presents H. K. $500
to Japanese wounded with deep thanks for heroism in " freeing
us from the yoke of the white people who held us under their
1
domination for over a century . " (HKN Feb. 14 , '42 ) .
WAN , Shiu - ying
Member of the staff of the Civil Administration Department ;
replied to farewell speech of S. Sometani , Head of Hongkong
Bureau of the Civil Administration Department Feb. 21 at
Gloucester Hotel ( HKN Feb. 22 , '42 ) .
WEI , Peter
Member of the Racing Committee of the Hongkong Jockey1
Club as reformed by the Japanese ( HKNews , March 7 , '42 ) .
WONG , Chak-lau
Graduate in first class of Japanese normal school held
in St. Paul's Girls School ; spoke in Japanese on behalf of
the students in the class at the graduation ceremonies , stating
that they were determined to " surmount all difficulties in
helping to create a Greater East Asia sphere , and faced the
road to this goal with confidence . " ( HKN April 3 , 42 ) .
- 20 -
WONG , Peter M.
Author of "The Question of Colour British Snobbery
that Destroyed an Empire" in HKNews , February 17 , 1942 ;
of "Japan's Contribution to the Development of Manchukuo "
( HKNews March 8 and 9 , '42 ) .
WONG , Tak Kwong ;
Chinese Representative ( Compradore ) of W. NAEF , agents
for CIBA ( China ) Ltd. , ( Representing Society of Chemical
Industry in Basle , Switzerland ) , importers of aniline dyes , art ,
indigo , textile chemicals and pharmaceutical products . ( Hong
List , 1941 ) Member of Rehabilitation Advisory Committee . (HKN ) .
WONG , Tung Ming , Dr. , ( MD )
President , Japanese - Chinese Medical Ass'n . ( HKNews Mar.
1 , 42 ) .
YEUNG , Ngok Fai
Member , Committee on Preparations for the Celebration of
the fall of Singapore ( HKN February 13 , 42 ) .
YEUNG , Tsin-Lei
Chairman , East Asia Cultural Ass'n ; elected at first
executive meeting of the Ass'n on Feb. 23 , 42 (HKNews Feb. 24 ,
'42 ) .
YEUNG , Yun- tak
Member , Executive Committee ( of 5 ) of Hongkong Chinese
Bankers ' Association formed under Japanese auspices ( HKNews ,
April 12 , 42 ) .
- 21 -
Enclosure No. 2 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . '
Letter From A Mr. Gimson
( One-Time Colonial Secretary of The Hong Kong Government )
To The
Colonel in Charge
Prince's Building
Hong Kong
28 December , 1941
Sir ,
I have the honour to inform you that Mr. A. W. Gibson , Petrol
Controller , is in charge of the petrol supplies of the Island and could
be of considerable assistance to you in arranging for the conservation
and for the distribution of these supplies when necessary . His organi
zation would doubtless be useful to you in securing these objects and
I suggest that discussion might be valuable with a view to obtaining
the best use of the personnel at his command for the furtherance of
the scheme he has in view .
Erratum : Paragraph 2 omitted.
See footnote p. 18 text. I am , Sir ,
( Signed ) F. C. Gimson
Colonial Secretary
Governor's Representative .
Colonel Okada ,
Japanese Military Headquarters ,
Hong Kong .
- 22 -
Enclosure No. 3 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
" Hongkong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 12 , 1942
SPEECH
of
LIEUTENANT GENERAL TAKASHI SAKAI
To The Leaders of the Chinese Community in Hongkong
General Sakai spoke of the currency problem and the tasks of
restoring order , the cleansing of the city and the reopening of
business . He said he would make every effort for the reconstruc
tion of Hongkong and Kowloon , and expressed the hope that the
Chinese guests present would do their best to co- operate in this
direction .
Both Mr. Law Kuk -wo and Mr. Chow Shou-son expressed complete
agreement with what General Sakai said , and voiced the hope that
peace between Japan and China would soon be a reality . They also
promised to do whatever they could to bring about the return of
normal conditions in Hongkong and Kowloon .
Lieut-General Sakai said : " It gives me great pleasure to see
you all here to-day . For the last 100 years , Hongkong has been
under the misguided rule of the British , who seized the place from
China . You , gentlemen , happened to form a part of it , but I hope
that you will all recognize the change that has come and exort all
your strength for the reconstruction of Hongkong so that it may be
come a model city for East Asian peace .
- 23
Firstly , I hope that all of you will understand the object of
co-prosperity for all the races of Great Asia . The brave troops
that I lead seized Hongkong and Kowloon in a little over ten days , and
have driven out the evil forces of the British . We were not fighting
against the Chinese of Hongkong , for whom we have the deepest sympathy .
Therefore , in the plan of attack we did not use artillery and large
bombs in order to avoid hurting the common people and damaging the
city . You , who were then in Hongkong , will surely understand this .
Selfish British Aim
Secondly , from the corruption of the British Colonial Adminis
tration , you may understand that they only planned for their own
profit , and did not care about the life or death of the Chinese
people .
You , who have dwelt in Hongkong for the last 100 years , should
awaken to the fact that , in this battle , the British Government
used Chinese Volunteers , Canadians and Indians in the front line .
The English soldiers were hiding in the hills , and investigation
of the casualty lists shows mostly coloured troops with very few
Englishmen amongst them . You can see , therefore , that the English
soldiers fear death and covet life .
Thirdly, the Chinese and Japanese are of the same people and
have the same literature . They are also of the Great East Asian
race . In all the islands of south-east Asia dwell Chinese citizens .
Although they have left their country for a long time , yet they belong
to our race . These overseas Chinese are your relatives , friends or
clansmen . I hope that the words I have addressed to you will be
transmitted to them , so that they may join in the establishment of
a Greater East Asia .
Fourthly , both Hongkong and Kowloon have received a considerable
amount of damage during the fighting, and this has caused unavoidable
suffering . I shall make every effort to clear up matters for the re
construction of Hongkong and Kowloon , and to make it a place where
people may reside in peace . But if the Army is unable to make the
change in the shortest possible time , I hope you will forgive me ;
and I ask all of you to form a local assistance committee to exert
all your strength to help me , so that we may succeed at an early
date .
Important Items
The following are the most important items that I have to talk
to you about :
1
1. Order.- With regard to order , this is naturally the responsi
bility of the Military Authorities , but if we use too many troops ,
then the people may find certain inconveniences .
- 24
Therefore , the former Hongkong Chinese Police are being re
employed . All people can safely resume their businesses , or organize
their own self - protection guards under the direction of the officials .
Thus , all obstruction to order will be removed .
2. Currency.- Currency is the blood of business . Therefore
it must be settled . I have appointed people to deal with this
matter , and the result of the investigations will be announced very
shortly .
I have heard that the people are suffering from a lack of small
notes . As regards the non-acceptance of
This will be attended to .
higher currency notes , there is a reason for that , but this will be
handled later .
You , gentlemen , form the influential and wealthy element of
the population . Some of you play a big role in currency circles .
For the time being , you should tell all people not to think of hurt
ing other people , or to spread around idle rumours . If there is any
matter which may be of benefit to all , it may be written out .
3. Relief of business.- After the cessation of hostilities ,
relief is of great importance . I hope that you will get together
and help in settling the fuel and rice problems and helping those
who are suffering hardships . I hope that you will devise methods for
this and apply to the Administration for permission to carry them out .
Question of Employment
Ą. Returning to Employment.- Labour and business have stopped
now for many days . You should help in advising all classes of people
to return to their employment at an early date . Apart from those
sections which cannot resume business because of military affairs ,
if there is any matter which is especially difficult you should all
find a means of dealing with it . If the matter is of great im
portance you may notify the Administration or Gendarmerie for as
sistance .
5. Cleaning up the City.- Apart from steps that have to be taken
by the Authorities after the fighting , you should advise the people
to start putting the places where they live into order , thus giving a
hand to the Authorities to deal more easily with the problem of clean
liness .
This is only a general outline . As regards other matters I
hope that you yourselves and myself , with the idea of straightening
out relations between China and Japan and with the object of uniting
the prosperity of the East Asian races , will , according to time and
place , work together to settle them satisfactorily .
25 -
I am very glad indeed to have received you all to-day , and hope
that all will exert their strength to put into action our hopes . "
Mr. Law Kuk - wo's Reply .
Mr. Law Kuk - Wo said : " We have been very pleased to - day to re
ceive the invitation of the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Japanese
Forces in South China , Lieut-General Sakai .
We have listened , General Sakai , to what you have said with the
most complete agreement . We thank you for it . We know that the
Japanese Army has avoided harming the people of Hongkong or destroy
ing the city . We are very grateful to you for this .
The object of Imperial Japan is to release the races of East
Asia . Japan and China have the same literature and are of the same
people . They are very closely identified in prosperity .
We shall do what we can in order to help to make things satis
factory We are in full agreement that there should be peace between
Japan and China , and we hope that soon it will be a reality . We will
do all we can to further the object of peace between Japan and China .
Reconstruction
As regards the maintenance of order and reconstruction , we will
put out all our strength in Hongkong to co-operate with the Japanese
Army authorities , and we will ask all the Chinese people to arise and
unite that strength , so that they may achieve your objectives of per
mitting people to dwell in peace and carry on their business so that
all may recover prosperity .
We are very fortunate in having been placed under the instructions
of yourself and your senior officers . We ourselves represent only a
million or more of the Chinese people . We thank the Emperor of Japan
and may he live forever . "
Mr. Chow Shou-son's Reply
Mr. Chow Shou-son said : " I agree heartily with all that Mr. Law
Kuk - Wo has said to General Sakai . I am very pleased to express agree
ment . I have been a long time in Hongkong and I believe that the
Chinese here fully understand the objectives that General Sakai has so
kindly expressed for co-operation between Japan and China . I hope that
from now on Japan and China will join hands more and more .
We thank the Emperor of Japan , and may he live forever . We also
hope that General Sakai will remain as healthy as ever . "
1
- 26 -
Enclosure No. 4 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
Hong Kong
No. 2 , Connaught Road , Central
P. 0. Box : 63 .
Telephones : 31243-31244
Cable Add . " NIPPO " HONGKONG .
January 14 , 1942 .
Defence of Hongkong .
In all the history of the British Empire which , as we have been
told so often , was acquired and developed by the indomitable British
spirit , there has been no greater tragedy than the loss of Hongkong .
The grief must be the more poignant , because the bereavement marked
the Centenary year which , but for the war , was to have been celebrat
ed with as much pomp and arrogance as Chinese susceptibilities would
permit .
Hongkong the impregnable , the mighty fortress , a second Gibraltar ,
was to have stood like the physicist's immovable body . Called upon to
surrender , the former British Governor spurned the suggestion , Ap
parently it pained him exceedingly , and he was in no state to compre
hend its generosity . When a Japanese commentator said that the
magnanimous gesture of General Sakai , who wished to spare civilian
life and property , would go down in history , the British Broadcasting
Corporation became contemptuous . Not at all , it replied ; what would go
down in history was the magnificent rejection of the humane offer . All
will agree that the late Governor has certainly provided Hongkong's
history with its blackest page . Tremendous suffering might so easily
have been avoided especially as it has been proved that the heroics
were empty
The British could not defend Hongkong for long with the resources
available to them , and they well knew it ; all their strategy betrayed
their guilty knowledge . There had been many rumours of that strategy ,
and with the abandonment of Kowloon , including Civil Defence Workers who
had been promised protection for their families , the worst fears of the
population were quickly confirmed .
- 27 -
Military writers will argue for many a day why the defence of
Hongkong collapsed so abjectly . Those of the Anglo-American school
will , of course , explain that " the garrison was hopelessly outnumbered ,"
and will prepare for the school books of their children glowing ac
counts of the excessive gallantry of the defenders . Of the fighting
men in the front lines , or some of them , left entirely without air
support and with rapidly diminishing artillery aid , this may be true .
In general , however , the truth is that the Imperial Forces of Japan
were superior in every department . Their strategy was superb , and their
tactics of equal quality . The landing at North Point was a master
stroke , wrecking the whole plan for defence of the Island .
The careful accuracy of their shelling and bombing had much to do
with their victory , and their clan was in keeping with their general
ship . In this the British were sadly disillusioned . The frequent
sneer had been that , of course , against Chinese troops the Japanese
could do as they liked ; but against first-class British forces -- well
that would be different ! To - day , the British and Americans have a much
greater respect for the Oriental soldier -- for in Hongkong , Malaya and
the Philippines the outcome has been the same : the vaunted supermen
of the white race have melted like butter .
One excuse offered officially for the Hongkong debacle has been
that the civil defence let the army down .
the civil defence being
mostly Chinese and having been entrusted with army transport . Even
if there were justice in this charge it would still be superficial .
For any defect in the civil defence there was a fundamental reason
the undeniable fact that the British had never treated the Chinese
fairly , were never respected and , therefore , could not expect the
wholehearted co-operation that goes with equality . To the end the
Chinese were made to feel that they were but pawns in the game , to
live or die as they might ; and , if they reacted accordingly , they can
not be blamed .
Under the protection of Japan , a new era of understanding and con
fidence is dawning ; and it is the common and earnest hope that the co
operative spirit will be nursed into a strong bond of brotherly union ,
to vitalize the new Hongkong that will be mighty indeed .
- 28 -
Enclosure No. 5 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of "Hong
kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 12 , 1942 .
PROCLAMATION
Any person who commits any of the crimes enumerated below
shall be dealt with under Martial Law :
1. Any action or rebellion against the Nipponese Imperial
Army .
2. Any sort of espionage activity .
3. Apart from the crimes mentioned in the two foregoing
items , any action which would endanger the safety of
the Nipponese Imperial Army or cause any obstruction
to military movements .
Any person who instigates , aids or abets in any plan for
committing any of the foregoing crimes , even though he should
fail , shall be punished . But such punishment , as circumstances
permit, may be reduced or exempted .
Penalty for any person who commits the crimes mentioned in
the first two items , but surrenders before the offence is dis
covered , may be reduced or exempted .
The sentences under Martial Law are as follows :
1. Death
2. Imprisonment
3. Banishment
4. Fine
5. Confiscation
Articles mentioned hereunder shall be confiscated :
1: Articles for planning a crime .
2. Articles used or intended to be used for committing of
a crime .
3. Articles obtained in the course of or as a result of
having committed a crime .
4. Articles obtained as a result of the committing of a
crime in the form of renumeration .
The 25th Day of 12th Month ,
of the 16th Year of His Majesty's Showa
THE COMMANDER - IN - CHIEF OF
29 -
Enclosure No. 6 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of "Ho
kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 2nd , 1942
ASSURANCE TO POPULATION
Protection of Lives and Property
Since the Japanese occupation of Hongkong , order and
government have gradually been restored . The Japanese Army
is taking special care to protect the Chinese population ,
for which the latter are very grateful . The authorities are
now establishing a civil branch of the military headquarters
to deal with civil affairs in Hongkong . It is hoped that the
Chinese will co-operate with them in order to make Hongkong a
flourishing place .
The department deputed officials to function yesterday and
they issued their first notice as follows :
" The Japanese Army seized Hongkong with the object
of sweeping out British and American influence from the Far
East and establishing a New Order in East Asia , freeing the
races of East Asia . The Japanese Army assumes responsibility
for the protection of the lives and property of the Chinese
people and they must resume their businesses , fearlessly plac
ing their confidence in the Japanese Army .
" With the object of protecting the Chinese people ,
the Japanese Army has established an office in the Hongkong
and Shanghai Bank Building , first floor , Queen's Road , for
dealing with the civil affairs , All Chinese dwelling in Hong
kong must rely on the Japanese Army and aid the above office
to pacify the people and make Hongkong flourish . The above
office sets its hopes on this . "
- 30 -
Enclosure No. 7 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of " Hong
kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 2nd , 1942
CHINESE CIVILSERVANTS
To Resume Functions as soon as possible
The Civil Department of the Japanese Army has issued
the following notice :
The Japanese have driven out the British troops and have
occupied Hongkong which is now under the protection of the
Army . With the exception of British officials , all those
formerly serving in the Government ought to resume their func
tions as soon as possible . They must not transgress the laws
or act in a disorderly manner . If they do and are caught no
leniency will be shown them .
All labour and shops must resume business as soon
as possible and they may not in any way act contrary to
law or else they will be dealt with .
- 31 -
Enclosure No. 8 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hongkong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 2nd , 1942
WATER SUPPLY NOTICE
No Wastage While Repairs Effected .
A third notice issued by the Civil Department of the
Japanese Army states :
"The Japanese Army , with a view to restoring conditions
in Hongkong , is doing its utmost to repair the water ,
electric light and gas systems . This it is hoped to do very
shortly . During the period of repairs , the people must re
member the difficulties . With regard to water , the supply
has been started again but people must use water economical
ly and not waste it . Any person found wasting water will
be dealt with according to Japanese Army law , without any
leniency . "
Civil Department of the
Japanese Army
January 1 , 1942 .
32 --
Enclosure No. 9 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
"Hongkong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 14 , 1942 .
Circulation of Big Notes
The following notice , concerning the use of big Hongkong dollar
notes , has been issued by the Commander- in-Chief of the Imperial
Japanese Army in Hongkong:
" The public is hereby notified that , in spite of previous
notification prohibiting circulation of Hongkong dollar notes , of
which face value is more than $25 , as a temporary measure after
the occupation of Hongkong by his Imperial Japanese Majesty's
Army , in consideration of the public convenience , Hongkong dollar
notes of the above face value ( viz . $25 $50 , $ 100 , $500 ) are
now permitted circulation for the time being as well as those of
not more than $10 .
Commander - in - Chief ,
Imperial Japanese Army in Hongkong" .
- 33
Enclosure No. 10 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 16 , 1942 .
NOTICE
To Alien Nationals
All alien nationals of neutral countries or countries
( Third Nations ) allied with Japan , and people corresponding
to the aforementioned nationalities ( except Oriental races ) ,
must present themselves at the Foreign Affairs Section of
the Civil Administration Department , Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
Building , first floor , before January 19 and obtain passage
certificates for movement in Hong Kong .
Those who do not possess such passage certificates after
the aforementioned date shall be considered by the Authorities
as enemy nationals .
Lieutenant-Colonel Noma ,
Commander of the Imperial Gendarmerie .
34 -
Enclosure No. 11 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
1
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
January 19 , 1942 .
NOTICE
TO ALIEN NATIONALS IN KOWLOON
All alien nationals of neutral countries or countries allied
with Japan ( Third Nations ) and people corresponding to the afore
mentioned nationalities ( except Oriental races ) residing in
Kowloon , must obtain permits for movements to and fro , otherwise
they will be considered as enemy aliens .
The rules are as follows :
1. Place for obtaining permit : - Kowloon , King's Park , at
the Gendarmerie office for the Kowloon area ; the former Kowloon
Police Court , at the office of the Civil Administration Depart
ment of the Government .
2. Times for applications : - Tuesday , January 20 , to Friday ,
-
January 23 , from 10 a.m. to noon , and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Method of applying : - Those applying must produce
certificates to identify their persons or some form of
identification , with two photographs . They must then register
themselves at the office and act according to the information
given them .
Lieut . Colonel Noma .
Commander of the Imperial Gendarmerie .
35 =
Enclosure No. 12 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
January 30 , 1942 .
NOTICE
In consideration for the livelihood of the population , it
has been decided to permit limited withdrawal from banks by
depositors subject to the following conditions :
1. Depositors are only permitted to withdraw sums from
their private current or savings accounts .
2. Each person is permitted to withdraw not more than
dollars fifty ( $50 ) Hong Kong currency .
3. Persons eligible to withdraw are neutral nationals and
non - hostile Chinese .
4. Withdrawals may be made from the following banks :
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ,
National City Bank of New York ,
Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank ,
Bank of Canton ,
Bank of East Asia , and the
Kwang tung Provincial Bank .
5. Withdrawals subject to the above conditions are
permitted for three days , from January 29 , 1942 to
January 31 , 1942 ( inclusive ) . Hours are from 10 a . m .
,
to l p . m . and 2 p . m . to 4 p . m . daily .
Order by the
Commander - in - Chief ,
Imperial Japanese Army .
January 27 , 1942 .
36 -
Enclosure No. 13 to report dated June 1 , 1943, on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
February 4 , 1942 .
NOTICE
TO THIRD NATIONALS
All Third Nationals in Hongkong must report in writing
to the Foreign Affairs Section of the Civil Administration
Department , Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building , first floor ,
their former and new addresses prior to their moving into
their new addresses , stating also their nationality and full
name .
By Order
February 4 , 1942
17th Year of Showa .
37
Enclosure No. 14 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
February 7 , 1942 .
JAPANESE ARMY ECONOMIC BUREAU
NOTICE
1. The banks hereinunder mentioned are permitted to open and
resume business on the dates specified :
February 6 , 1942 - National Commercial and Savings Bank , Wing
On Bank , Yien Yih Commercial Bank , Bank of East Asia , Hong
Ni Savings Bank , Fukien Provincial Bank , Chu Hsin Chen
Bank , Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation .
February 9 , 1942 - Central Bank of China , Bank of China , Bank
of Communications , Bank of Canton , Industrial Bank of China ,
Kwangsi Provincial Bank , Kwangtung Provincial Bank ,
Manufacturers ' Bank of China , Salt Industry Bank of Szechuen ,
Hongkong and Swatow Commercial Bank , Shanghai Commercial and
Savings Bank , China and South Seas Bank , Kincheng Banking
Corporation , China State Bank .
2. Withdrawal of deposits made before the war shall be restricted
to Hongkong currency , and each person is allowed to withdraw
not more than Three Hundred Dollars ( $300 ) per month . With
drawal of fapi deposits will not be permitted .
3. Withdrawal of deposits for the purpose of covering office
expenses can only be made from Hongkong currency accounts .
Prior to withdrawal , firms must submit applications to the
Director of the Economic Bureau of the Japanese Army , and no
withdrawal may be made without official approval . Withdrawal
of deposits to cover salaries or wages of employees is limited
to a sum of Fifty Dollars ( $50 ) per person .
4. The opening of new accounts in Hongkong currency and withdrawal
therefrom are not restricted .
5. The opening of new accounts in fapi is not permitted .
6. Articles at present held in safe deposit boxes in all banks will
be returned in due course after investigation by the Economic
Bureau of the Japanese Army .
BY ORDER
JAPANESE ARMY ECONOMIC BUREAU
Hong Kong , Feb. 6 , 1942 .
. 38
Enclosure No. 15 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong Under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS - February 9 , 1942 .
3
JAPANESE ARMY ECONOMIC
DEPARTMENT
NOTICE
The Authorities will vpen the safe deposit boxes at the Hong Kong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Bank of East Asia and ex
amine the valuables deposited therein for three days as specified
herein . Holders of safe deposit boxes corresponding to the under
mentioned numbers should present themselves at the banks concerned
on the relative dates and times , and should bring with them the keys
to their boxes :
Thursday , February 12 , 1942 .
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes 1 to 116
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 4757 to 4872
Bank of East Asia :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes Nos . 1 to 104
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 1033 to 1164
Friday , February 13 , 1942 .
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes Nos . 4061 to 4176
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 2205 to 2320
Bank of East Asia :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes Nos . 2063 to 2065
2069 to 2070
4211 to 4242
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 3173 to 3267
2644 to 2649
3011 to 3028
2581 to 2586
Saturday , February 14 , 1942 .
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes Nos . 1161 to 1247
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 6323 to 6438
Bank of East Asia :
From 10 a.m. to Noon Boxes Nos . 480 to 574
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boxes Nos . 3465 to 3567
BY ORDER ,
JAPANESE ARMY ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT .
Hong Kong , February 7 , 1942 .
.
- 39 -
Enclosure No. 16 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation .
THE HONGKONG NEWS
February 13 , 1942 .
NOTICE
For the time being , all persons in Kowloon and Hong Kong
are forbidden to fire crackers .
BY ORDER OF THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY .
February 11 , 1942 .
- 40 -
-
Enclosure No. 17 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of
" Hong Kong Under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
February 22 , 1942 .
NOTICE
It is hereby notified for general information that the
offices of the Japanese Consulate General at Hong Kong have
been terminated as from February 20th , 1942 .
SHIROSHICHI KIMURA ,
HONG KONG .
February 21st , 1942 .
- 41
Enclosure No. 18 to report dated June 1 , 1943 , on the subject of " Hong
2
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
February 22 , 1942
ORDER OF THE DAY
by
LIEUTENANT GENERAL RENSUKE ISOGAI
Wise Counsel to the People of Hong Kong
On assuming office as Governor of Hong Kong , His Excellency
Lieutenant-General Rensuke Isogai has issued an Order of the Day
to the people of Hong Kong in which he explains the background of
this territory under the defeated British , its present position
in East Asia and its function in the war , and wisely counsels all
resident here to eschew vices and sever themselves from easy
practices and , in the light of the Kingly Way , devote all their
energies to the service of the community .
The following is the full text of the Order issued by
General Isogai:
" Order of the Day issued by Imperial Japan's Governor of
the Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
" Whereas Hong Kong is Eastern territory seized by Britain ,
.- 42 -
who in an enlightened age has for the past hundred years been
nibbling at our East Asia , so now one morning the place was
captured by our faithful , loyal and brave Imperial Army which
Britain , public enemy of mankind , plotted to fulfil her unlimited
ferocity of heart , has now been extinguished , which is a cause for
the heartiest rejoicings among the millions in East Asia .
" The great objective of the war in East Asia is certainly to
guarantee the peace of East Asia , through which peace may extend
to the whole world for the glorious happiness of all countries .
Therefore Hong Kong , under military rule , should hereafter co
operate , with the full effort of all sections of the people , to
reconstruct its position and to help in the attainment of
victory in the Greater East Asia War . The previous condition
of Hong Kong must be swept clean before it can take its place
in the East . The present strength and culture of the place
must be elevated to the same spiritual stream in order to at
tain the Kingly Way , which will shine upon the eternal basic
prosperity of East Asia .
" I have humbly received the great responsibility of being
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , and today I have
arrived in person to the place . I must observe and obey higher com
mands to devote all my strength punctiliously to protect the con
tinued prosperity of all the people . And when complete victory shall
have been obtained in the Greater East Asia War , all the residents
here will admit that they have suffered to give reality to the ideal
of this sacred war . So let them eschew vices and sever themselves
from easy practices in the light of the Kingly Way and give all their
energies to the service of the community .
" All you people , if you can root out the bad old habits and
brace yourselves up to your strength , you will accomplish much towards
creating a flourishing Greater East Asia . I will know how to treat
those who do so .
" As for those who transgress the path of right and do not keep
within their right places , these are the enemies of East Asia's
millions and are not members of our Kingly Way . Irrespective of
their nationality or race , I will deal with these according to
military law , without mercy .
" On assuming my office , this Order is specially issued . Do
not transgress its implications. "
RENSUKE ISOGAI .
Showa , 17th Year , February 20 .
- 43
Enclosure No. 19 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 9 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 5
It is hereby notified that , as from today , movement of
people in the streets will be permitted nightly up to il p . m .
The ferry service between Hong Kong and Kowloon will terminate
at 10 p . m . as heretofore . This order should be strictly ob
served .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 8 .
- 44
Enclosure No. 20 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 9 , 1942
PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE
Cleansing
Campaign
It is hereby notified that , in compliance with the public
health measures against infectious diseases , it has been decided
that a general house cleansing campaign shall be conducted through
out Hong Kong and Kowloon from March 16 , 1942 to March 25 , 1942 ,
inclusive .
During this period of cleansing , all residents must thoroughly
cleanse their premises as well as all furniture and utensils there
in .
Authorized officials will make visits to houses within the
period aforementioned , and heavy penalties will be inflicted upon
the owner or occupier of any premises which are not properly cleansed
and where rubbish and waste has been allowed to collect either in
the houses or adjacent to them or in lanes and alleyways contiguous
to the houses concerned .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 8 .
- 45
Enclosure No. 21 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of
" Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation , "
HONGKONG NEWS
March 10 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 6
Arm bands issued by the Civil Department of the former
Military Government must be returned to the office of the
Governor's Aide - de - Camp on or before March 15 for examination
and reissue . After that date , all arm bands issued by the Civil
Department of the former Military Government are cancelled .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 9 .
- 46 -
Enclosure No. 22 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
March 11 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 77
1. All persons falsely assuming the uniform of soldiers ,
auxiliary services or other government body , or falsely wearing
arm bands , or falsely pretending to be departmental officials ,
with the intention of privately searching people in the streets
will be severely punished .
2. All persons entering buildings controlled by the Military
Authorities or into private houses for the purpose of removing
things will be severely punished .
3. Any person extorting money from the people or extorting
other things or threatening the people will be severely punished .
4. Any person giving false evidence with the object of
gaining entrance into or leaving Kowloon and Hong Kong , or with
the object of dwelling in the place or doing business there and
so obtaining unlawful profit , will be severely punished .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 10 .
- 47 -
Enclosure No. 23 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
March ll , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 8
The Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong hereby
issues preliminary orders so that the people may understand what
conduct or action is treated as an offence under military law
and for which punishment is meted out under military law .
It is hereby notified that the following items are included
in offences under military law , and the people are warned to re
frain from such actions :
1. All persons guilty of the following offences violate
military law :
(a) Conduct of a seditious character or
directed against the Imperial Japanese
Army ;
(b) Conduct that involves espionage ;
(c) Apart from the foregoing , any conduct
that endangers the Imperial Japanese
Army or injures military operations .
2. Those who have offended under the aforementioned items
but help to clear up the plotting may have their punishment
mitigated or remitted .
3. These who confess before official discovery to offences
committed shall have their punishment mitigated .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 10 .
1
- 48
Enclosure No. 24 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation ,"
HONGKONG NEWS
March 11 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 9
The Hong Kong Government is establishing a Court of Justice
for the adjudication of civil cases . Any person desiring of in
stituting any civil actions in this court should apply to the
Civil Court of Justice of the Government for instruction as to
the procedure to be followed .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 10 .
.
49
Enclosure No. 25 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
March ll , 1942
WANCHAI DISTRICT BUREAU
Notice
With reference to the instructions that have been issued
for maintaining cleanliness in the District , the Commander - in
Chief of the Naval Expeditionary Force has issued orders that
all shops and residents of private homes must daily clean all
parts of their premises and when shops open they must likewise
take every precaution for the purpose of public health .
It is notified that places which do not give satisfaction
will be segregated for one week with barbed -wire , preventing all
ingress egress .
The Bureau will send inspectors around to see that the follow
ing instructions are carried out:
1. Occupants of all ground floor shops or homes
must daily clean their doorsteps and sweep their rubbish
into the street gutter .
2. Occupants of upper floors must daily clean the
staircases .
3. Occupants of the top floors must clean the roofs .
Those who have water closets must see that their
closets are not blocked with filth . The reservoirs must
be kept full , and the plugs pulled as soon as use has been
made of the conveniences .
- 50 -
Enclosure No. 26 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of "Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 16 , 1942 .
PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE
Cleansing Campaign
1. From March 16 to March 25 , a period of ten days in
clusive , order is to be preserved as follows:
2. All dwelling houses must in this period be swept
clean and washed , and all rubbish must be dumped at the proper
places ;
3. During this period of cleansing , and afterward , all
dwelling houses , and shops must preserve their cleanliness
and exert special efforts to maintain it . This regulation
may iot be transgressed , under penalty of a heavy fine .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 14 .
- 51 -
Enclosure No. 27 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject of " Hong
Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 17 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 10
In sympathetic consideration of the livelihood of the people
of this city , the following regulations governing the withdrawal
of bank deposits are issued :
Permission is extended to depositors to withdraw
money to maintain their living conditions only , and
withdrawals are only to be made from the depositors '
personal accounts .
2. No depositor is permitted to withdraw more than one
hundred and fifty dollars ( $ 150.00 ) Hong Kong
currency
3. Only neutral nationals and non-hostile Chinese are
permitted to make withdrawals .
4. Withdrawals may be made only from the following ten
banks Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
( main office ) ; Chartered Bank of India , Australia
and China , Mercantile Bank of India , National City
Bank of New York , Chase Bank , American Express
Company , Underwriters ' Savings Bank , Nederlandsch
Indische Handelsbank , Netherlands Trading Society
and Banque Belge pour l'Etranger .
5. Withdrawals will be permitted for three days , from
March 18 to March 20 inclusive , daily from 10 a . m .
to I p . m . and from 2 p . m . to 4 p . m ..
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 16 .
- 52
Enclosure No. 28 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 23 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 11
In sympathetic consideration of the livelihood of the
people of this city the following regulations governing the
withdrawal of bank deposits are issued :
1. Permission is extended to depositors to withdraw
money to maintain their living conditions only ,
and withdrawals are only to be made from the
depositors ' personal accounts .
2. No depositor is permitted to withdraw more than
two hundred dollars ( $200.00 ) Hong Kong currency .
3. Only neutral nationals and non-hostile Chinese are
permitted to make withdrawals .
4. Withdrawals may be made only from the Kowloon Branch
of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation .
5. Withdrawals will be permitted for three days , from
March 24 to March 26 inclusive , daily from 10 a . m .
to i p . m . and from 2 p . m . to 4 p . m .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 22 .
- 53
Enclosure No. 29 to report dated June 1 , 1942
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 26 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Notice No. 12
Civilians in possession of motor cars and wishing to use
them should apply to the Land Communications Section of the
Communications Department before April 14 , Showa , 17th Year .
Applications sent after that date will be invalid .
Application forms are obtainable from the Land Communications
Section .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 25 .
54
Enclosure No. 30 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Ocupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 25 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Public Notification
In order to increase communication facilities , maintain the
scenic beauty of the city , keep the roads in good condition and
to avoid transport accidents , owners of horse carriages , bicycles ,
and manpower cars are required to apply for permission to continue
to use them . Applications shall be made at the following places .
Hong Kong .- ( 1 ) The Hong Kong Tramway Office , Russell Street ,
from April 25 to April 27 , between 10 a . m . and 2 p . m . ( 2 ) The
Hong Kong Road and Drainage Office , Lower Albert Road , from April
28 to April 30 , between 10 a . m . and 2 p . m .
Kowloon.- The Kowloon Road and Drainage Officer , No. 154
Prince Edward Road , from May 1 to May 3 , between 10 a . m . and
2 p. m.
Applications made after the dates mentioned will be invalid .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government
Showa , 17th Year , March 25 .
- 55 -
Enclosure No. 31 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 29 , 1942
LAWS FOR RULE OF THE CAPTURED TERRITORY OF HONG KONG
To be effective from Showa , 17th Year , March 28 .
The Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Yong has now decided laws as detailed below , for entering and
leaving , residing in , transportation of goods out of nd into ,
and for establishing businesses , carrying on businesses , for the
conduct of merchants , etc. , within , the areas ruled by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong ; the laws to
take effect from Showa , 17th Year , March 28 .
Governor's Order Number 9 .
Concerning the laws that are to be decided upon for entering
and leaving , residing in , transportation of goods out of and into ,
and for establishing businesses , carrying on businesses , for the
conduct of merchants within the areas ruled by the Governor of
the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , herewith are appended the
laws decided for entering and leaving , residing in , transporta
tion of goods out of and into , and for establishing businesses ,
carrying on businesses , for the conduct of merchants within , the
areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
( former British colonial and leased territory ) .
Showa , 17th Year , March 28 .
Governor of Occupied Territories of Hong Kong .
( Signed ) Rensuke Isogai .
Laws for entering and leaving , residing in , transportation of
goods out of and into , and for establishing businesses , carrying
on businesses , for the conduct of merchants within the areas ruled
by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong ( Former
British colonial and leased territory ) .
Chapter One - General Regulations :
Chaptr Two - Entering and leaving the boundaries :
Chapter Three - Residing in :
Chapter Four - Transportation of goods out of and into :
Chapter Five - Establishing businesses :
Chapter Six - Carrying on businesses :
56 -
Chapter Seven - Merchants conduct :
Chapter Eight - Police punishments and fines :
Chapter Nine - Addenda ..
CHAPTER ONE
General Regulations
Item One . The enactment of these laws is to serve as a
criterion for use in the areas ruled by the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong ( that is the former British colony
and leased territory , similarly below ) with regard to entering
and leaving the frontiers and residence , excepting for military
persons , the families of military persons and army and navy em
ployees ; transportation of goods in and out , with the exception
of military supplies ( hereinafter called for short , transporta
tion of goods in and out ) ; and establishment of businesses , carry
ing on of businesses , commercial conduct, etc.
Item Two . All those persons entering and leaving , residing
in , transporting goods in and out of , and establishing businesses ,
carrying on businesses , with commercial activities , in the areas ruled
by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong must obtain
permission from the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Item Three . Permission will be refused to the following class
es of persons by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong to enter or leave , reside in , transport goods in and out of ,
and to establish businesses , carry on businesses , with commercial
activities , in the areas ruled by him :
1. Enemy nationals ; 2. foreigners with enemy leaning ( includ
ing Chinese nationalists with enemy leanings ) ; 3. those per
sons who act against our troops , who spy , who divulge mili
tary secrets , and who endanger or hurt the safety of our
troops , with all those persons who could do the above ; 4 .
those persons who disturb military order , or who conduct
themselves in a disorderly manner against the government
or economic conditions , or who express disorderly opinions ,
with those who could do the above ; 5. those persons who
have mental diseases or leprosy ; 6. those persons who have
no independent means of support ; 7. those persons who trans
gress the laws or have had other unlawful conduct without
hopes of reforming , or who are potential criminals ; 8 .
those persons who are unsuitable as residents with respect
to their att.tude towards military affairs , public safety
and local customs ; 9. those persons who are recognized as
being harmful to other forms of defense and to military
establishments .
Item Four . The Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander including
in his sphere all District and Water Gendarmerie Commanders ( similar
ly below ) will be responsible for handling persons entering or leav
ing , residing in , transporting goods in and out of , and establishing
businesses , carrying on businesses , with commercial activities , in
the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong .
! CHAPTER TWO
Entering and Leaving the Frontier
Item Five . Those persons wishing to come by vessel from out
side the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of
Hong Kong to those areas must fill up the particulars below in the
form of an application in order to obtain permission from the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong ; but any other rules
concerning travel by vessels will be in addition to this law .
1. The applicant's place of origin , address , social
standing , profession , name , year , month and day of birth ;
2. reasons for traveling by vessel ; 3. leaving from where ;
4. destination .
With respect to the foregoing application for permission , the e
should be attached a certificate of verification as to social stand
ing from a Gendarmerie officer or from the Imperial Japanese Con
sulate .
Item Six . Those persons residing within the areas ruled by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong who wish to send for
relatives or servants from outside those areas must fill up the
particulars below in the form of an application and passing through
the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander , apply for permission to the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
1. Place of origin of person sent for , address , social
standing , profession , name , year , month and day of birth ,
with the applicant's relationship to the person sent for ;
2. reasons for sending for the said person .
Item Seven . Those persons wishing to leave by vessel the
areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
for places outside those areas must fill up the particulars below
in any application and passing through the Hong Kong Gendarmerie
Commander , apply for permission from the Governor of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong . This permission is not necessary for those
persons acting under orders from the Governor of the Captured Terri
tory of Hong Kong .
1. The applicant's place of origin ; address , social stand
ing , profession , name , year , month and day of birth ; 2. pur
pose of the voyage by vessel ; 3. leaving from where ; 4. des
tination ; 5. date decided upon for starting ; 6. whether it is
hoped to return .
If the person making the voyage by vessel desires to return ,
then a limit of six months may be granted .
CHAPTER THREE
Residence
Item Eight . Those persons wishing to reside in the areas ruled
by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong should , within
five days of their arrival , fill in the particulars below to petition
the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander , who may instruct the applicant
to produce a document showing from where he originates or some other
certificate sufficient to prove his social standing :
1 . Place of origin , address , social standing , profession ,
year , month and day of birth ; 2. connection with military
affairs ; 3. year , month and day of arrival ; 4. purpose of
residence .
Item Nine . Where persons wish to rent ground or premises in
the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong , the person concerned must first make a lease and then fill
up the particulars in the application form below , passing it through
the Horg Kong Gendarmerie Commander with a request that he may obtain
verification of the lease from the Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong
1 . Place of origin of the person concerned , address , social
standing , profession , name , year , month and day of birth ; 2 .
position of the grounds or premises ; 3. for what purposes they
are to be used ; 4. value of lease .
The aforementioned application for verification should be ac
companied by a fair copy of the lease made by the person concerned ,
with surface plan of the said place and construction plan .
Item Ten . Those persons wishing to complete the previous item ,
but not knowing who is the landlord , may fill up the application form
below and passing it through the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander , may
request to obtain permission to rent from the Governor of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong .
Place of origin of applicant , address , social standing ,
profession , name , year , month , and day of birth ; 2. position
of grounds or premises ; 3. for what purpose they are to be
used ; 4. description of grounds or premises .
The aforementioned application for permission should be accom
panied by a surface plan of the said place and construction plan .
Item Eleven . Those persons wishing to move their residence or
share the lease of a flat or house in the areas ruled by the Governor
of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong should within five days after
moving or sharing the lease , fill up the particulars below , petition
ing the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander .
59
Place of origin , new address , social standing , profession ,
1 .
name , year , month and day of birth ; 2. year , month and day of
moving or sharing rent ; 3. former address ; 4. purpose of mov
ing or sharing the lease .
Item Twelve . The aforementioned petition concerning family ,
fellow lodgers , servants , or persons sharing the lease should be
handled by the head of the household head of family , or chief
tenant .
Item Thirteen . If the place of origin , social standing or any
other matter has to be altered at any time , the Gendarmerie should
be petitioned to register the addition on the certificate of origin
or any other document used for verification .
Item Fourteen . Those persons who are requested by some unit of
the army or navy , or who under some other classification , obtain a
military social standing and keep a bar or club , with regard to dwell
ing in or renting grounds and premises, although they may have ob
tained a certificate of verification from the said unit's commanding
officer , should nevertheless carry out all the provisions of the
previous items .
Those persons who comply with this item , if they continue to re
side in their present address after the unit has moved elsewhere may
not take their residence there as complying with the law .
CHAPTER FOUR
Transportation of Goods Into and Out of ( Hong Kong )
Item Fifteen . Those persons who wish to transport goods , with
the exception of military supplies , from within the areas ruled by
the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong to without the
frontier should fill up the particulars below on the application forms
requesting that they may obtain permission from the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Applicants ' place of origin ; address , social standing ,
1.
profession , name , year , month and day of birth ; 2. description
of the goods , number and weight , value ; 3. method of exporta
tion ; 4. purpose of exportation ; 5. place from where exported ;
6. destination of transported articles .
Item Sixteen . Those persons wishing to transport goods , with
the exception of military supplies , from without the frontier of the
areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
to within those areas should within five days of the arrival of the
goods fill up the particulars below , reporting it in the form of a
petition to the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
- 60 -
-
1. Place of origin ( of applicant ) , address , social standing ,
profession , name, year , month and day of birth ; 2. description
of goods , number and weight , value ; 3. purpose of importation ;
4. from whence imported ; 5. point of arrival .
Persons who have not yet made a petition as above in this item
may not sell the imported goods or hand them over to a third party .
Item Seventeen . All those who carry with them the necessities
of their livelihood or a few personal effects with no intention of
making profit need not comply with the two aforementioned items .
Item Eighteen . Articles mentioned below come within the sphere
of non - permitted articles :
Articles declared to be illegal in the Customs Law ,
1.
Exchange Law , Mobilization Law or any other Imperial Law ;
)
2. Articles that will cause harm to the prevention of
spying and preservation of military secrets ;
Articles that will cause harm to military affairs , public
3.
safety and local customs ;
Ą. Articles that might be of use to enemy countries or third
countries with enemy leanings ;
5. Articles whose purpose might be to create disorder in
the government , economic affairs or in opinions , or which
might be made use of for such disorderly conduct .
6. Any other articles that are harmful to defense or the
conduct of the military government .
Item Nineteen . With regard to forbidden or controlled articles ,
lists of them and their particulars will be determined elsewhere .
CHAPTER FIVE
Establishing Businesses
Item Twenty . Those persons who wish to establish and carry on
business in the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong should obtain permission from the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
The aforementioned application should be accompanied by a petition
to establish a business and a statement of aims .
- 61 -
-
CHAPTER SIX
Carrying on Businesses
Item Twenty- one . Those persons wishing to do business in the
areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
should fill up the particulars in the application form below and
passing through the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander , request and ob
tain permission from the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong .
1. Place of origin of person doing business , address , social
standing , profession , name , year , month and day of birth .
2. Legal representative or business partner , his place of
origin , address , social standing , profession , name , year ,
month and day of birth , together with a copy of the agree
ment of partnership ;
3. Kinds of business carried on , organization , shop name ,
house name , place of doing business ;
4. If the place is a branch shop or annex , the address
of the head shop with its name or trade name ;
5. Value of capital;
6. If the place of doing business employs assistants ,
their nationality , names and ages .
The aforementioned application for permission to carry on business
should be accompanied by a surface plan of the place of business and
a construction plan .
If in the particulars mentioned in the previous
Item Twenty - two .
item there should be a change , such as moving the place of business ,
new construction , alteratio ns or additions , then permission should be
obtained .
Item Twenty- three If the carrying on of a business has been
stopped for six months or more , or if the position of a business is
not clear for three months or more , then such business will be deemed
to have been given up .
Item Twenty - four. If a person wishes to give up his business ,
he should notify his reasons in the form of a petition to the Hong
Kong Gendarmerie Commander .
Item Twenty- five . All persons carrying on business are not
permitted to trade their authority or hire their trade names to
others .
62 -
Item Twenty-six . If the person doing business wishes to employ
a manager or representative , he must make a request and obtain per
mission for doing so , forwarding the proposed manager's or represent
ative's place of origin , address , name , age and antecedents .
Item Twenty-seven . If the person doing business wishes to form
a corporation ( or partnership ) , he must first conclude a corporation
agreement and , passing through the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Commander ,
request and obtain permission of the Governor of the Captured Terri
tory of Hong Kong .
Item Twenty-eight .Matters affecting the carrying on of business
are the responsibility of the person doing the business , even though
any resulting acts may be those of his family , lodgers or servants .
But if there should be a manager , then the responsibility is the mana
ger's .
Item Twenty -nine. Any person in the areas ruled by the Governor
of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong who , in accordance with Item
14 , is connected with an army or navy unit and who wishes to carry
on a business should obtain a certificate of verification from the
unit commander and carry out the provisions of Item 21 .
The persons who comply with this item , if they continue to
reside in their address after the unit has moved on elsewhere , may
not take their continuing business there as complying with the law .
CHAPTER SEVEN
Mercantile Activities
Item Thirty . Those persons wishing to carry on mercantile
activities in the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Terri
tory of Hong Kong should fill up the particulars below of the ap
plication form and passing through the Hong Kong Gendarmerie Com
mander , request and obtain permission from the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
1. Applicant's place of origin ; address , social standing ,
profession , name , year , month and date of birth . 2. Place
of carrying on the mercantile activities and method' employed ;
3. Kinds of merchandise .
Item Thirty- one . Mercantile activities that are included in
the carrying on of a business may have their tenor registered at
the time of making the application according to Item 21 , and there
is then no need to make another application .
- 63 -
CHAPTER EIGHT
Police Punishments and Fines
Item Thirty- two . With respect to entering or leaving , residing
in , transporting goods into or out of , and establishing business ,
carrying on businesses or mercantile activities in the areas ruled
by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , should the
necessity arise in the sphere of military affairs , public safety ,
local customs , health or in the execution of military government ,
then the Gendarmerie may accordingly seize and arrest for investi
gation and questioning , detain or punish and they may issue orders
that are necessary to execute police punishments for prevention and
control .
Item Thirty- three . Should permission required by Items 5 to
7 not have been obtained by a person , or should that person try to
obtain permission to travel by vessel by deceit , he will be dealt
with by military law .
Item Thirty- four . Any person who wilfully delays complying with
Item 8 will be dealt with by military law .
Item Thirty- five . If a person who has not obtained the verifica
tion required by Items 9 and 10 or the permission , and who uses
deceit in order to obtain a verification or permit from the office
concerned , employs unlawful methods to seize any premises or who
coerces the real master of the house to rent the premises , that
person will be dealt with under military law .
Item Thirty-six . Persons not making the petition required by
Items 11 to 13 and not following the provisions of Item 14 will be
dealt with under military law .
Item Thirty-seven . Persons who have not obtained the permission
provided in Item 15 or have not forwarded the petition mentioned in
Item 16 and who secretly ship ( or move ) goods , with the exception of
military supplies in or out or who trade or cede the goods or who
import or export goods forbidden under Item 18 , will be dealt with
by military law .
Item Thirty-eight . Persons who have not received permission
under Items 20 to 22 , Items 26 , 27 , and 30 , or who contravene Item 25
and Item 29 , or who employ deceit in order to obtain a permit from
the office concerned , who establish a business , carry on a business
or engage in mercantile activities will be dealt with under military
law .
Item Thirty-nine . All persons who trade in or forge or alter
permits and certificates issued by the offices dealing in them will
be dealt with under military law .
- 64 -
.
Item Forty Persons obstructing the Gendarmerie in carrying
out their duties under Item 32 or who do not submit to prevention and
control , will be dealt with under military law .
Item Forty - one With respect to the Imperial Country's people ,
this law will be applied where the Imperial Law is not suitable .
CHAPTER NINE
Addenda
This law will be effective from the date of publicatior.. Those
persons engaged before the enforcement of this law in travelling ,
residing , moving goods , except military supplies , and who established ,
carried on businesses and engaged in mercantile activities and who
are still doing so , should they not comply with the regulations of
these laws before the last day of April, they will be restrained .
With regard to the Chinese people who resided in Hong Kong be
fore its capture , that is those who now reside in the areas ruled by
the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , for them the
date of obtaining permits is extended to the last day of June .
# # # #
65
Enclosure No. 32 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 27 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Public Notification No. 2
Certificates hitherto issued to Third Nationals to facilitate
their personal movement in Hong Kong are due to expire on March 31 ,
Showa , 17th Year , but an extension of the period of validity of
such certificates will be granted up to April 15 , Showa , 17th
Year .
Holders of such certificates are required to present them
selves on or before March 31 , Showa , 17th Year , at the Hong
Kong Bureau of the Hong Kong Government Foreign Affairs Section ,
old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building , for the purpose of secur
ing an endorsement on their present certificates to render them
valid for the period of extension .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , March 26 .
- 66 -
Enclosure No. 33 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 31 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Public Notification No. 5
It is hereby notified that from Showa 17th Year , April 1 ,
ordinary mail will be accepted for transmission to the following
countries - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , Turkey , Bulgaria ,
Switzerland , Spain , Portugal , Spanish African Colonies , Portuguese
Colonies .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , March 30
- 67
Enclosure No. 34 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 1 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Governor's Order No. 11
The regulations pertaining to the Chinese Co-operative Council
are herewith promulgated .
( Signed ) RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor ,
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , March 28 .
Regulations for the Chinese Co-operative Council
1. In order to ensure the smooth conduct of affairs of Chinese
residents in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , there is
now established the Hong Kong Chinese Co-operative Council ,
called for short the Co-operative Council below .
The Co-operative Council will be under the direction of
the Chinese Representative Council , which will submit to
the various departments of the Hong Kong Government for examin
ation matters concerning the governing and co-operation of
Chinese residents .
2. The Chinese Representative Council will elect the president
and members of the Co-operative Council from Chinese residing
in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , and those who are to
represent all sections of the people will be appointed by the
Governor .
3. The Co-operative Council will appoint one chairman and one
vice-chairman from the elected members .
4. The Chinese Representative Council will attend the Co-operative
Council's meetings to state their opinions .
5. The opinion of the Council's chairman , president and members
- 68 -
Governor's Order No. ll ( Continued )
will be discussed and decided upon .
6. After the opinions have been set forth and discussed , the
Chinese Representative Council will present them to the
Government.
This Council will be established from the day of the publication
of this notice .
69
Enclosure No. 35 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 1 , 1942 .
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Governor's Order No. 12
The charges for ordinary postal matter have been revised as
below .
RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor ,
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Showa 17th Year , March 31 .
1. Charges for postal matter dispatched from the areas ruled
by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
to places within the same areas and to Japanese territory
( including Kwantung , Malay States , etc. ) China and Man
choukuo will be as follows :
Letters : - 20 grammes or under . 5 sen .
Postcards : - Ordinary , 2 sen .
Return postcards , 4 sen .
Covered postcards , 5 sen . ( These are not
permitted in China ) .
Books and Printed Matter , industrial printed matter ,
photographs , manuscripts , pictures , plans ,
samples , educational and museum articles :
--100 grammes or under 4 sen . Books for
the blind in Braille , etc.:-- 1 kilogram
or under , 2 sen .
Agricultural seeds : - 100 grammes or under , I sen .
2. Ordinary postal matter for foreign countries ( not including
China and Manchoukuo ) :
Letters : - 20 grammes or under , 20 sen
Above 20 grammes , 20 sen . for each additional
20 grammes .
Postcards : - Ordinary , 10 sen .
Return postcards , 20 sen .
These revised charges will take effect from Showa 17th Year ,
- 70 -
Enclosure No. 36 to report dated June 1 , 1943, on the subject
of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 31 , 1942 .
Protection for Public to carry on Normal Work
The aim underlying the laws promulgated by His Excellency the
Governor , Lieut-General Rensuke Isogai , on March 28 , relating to
entry and departure from Hong Kong , permission for the establishment
or reopening of business , reports by residents , etc. , was explained
by a Government official at a press conference yesterday .
The official said that it was with the object of providing
adequate protection to the public to carry on their normal
activities that the laws were promulgated , and he gave the as
surance that every possible assistance would be given by the
authorities in this direction .
Concerning the law on residence , it was pointed out that all
residents in Hong Kong and Kowloon must report their addresses and
other particulars .
No Interference ,
Remarking that the laws may appear at first glance to be re
strictive , the official said that the real aim of the authorities
was entirely contrary to this impression . What the authorities
actually desired was to enable the civilian population to carry on
their normal activities . The rehabilitation of Hong Kong , he
pointed out , was proceeding rapidly , but so far as the authorities
understood , the first thing the public wanted was to have a guarantee ,
as it were , that they could carry on their business and other normal
activities without interference and with protection . It was with the
object of giving such a guarantee that the laws were made .
Continuing , the official said that when the laws were drafted ,
special care was taken to dispense with red - tape . The public , he
emphasized , should not be afraid to apply for permission , which would
be granted in as short a time as possible .
The Procedure .
The enforcement of these laws will be undertaken by the
Gendarmerie , and yesterday Capt . Kimura , Chief of the Police Affairs
Section of the Gendarmerie Headquarters , explained to the Press the
procedure to be followed by the public .
Capt . Kimura first explained that ordinarily the preservation
of peace and order was handled by both the Gendarmerie and the
Police , the former for military and the latter for civil affairs .
- 71 -
preservation of peace and order was now undertaken solely by the
Gendarmerie , which also controlled the Police and Fire Brigade , the
former being known as Gendarme Police and the latter as Gendarme
Fire Brigade .
The Gendarmerie had five divisions - east , west , Kowloon , the
New Territories and the harbour or Water Gendarmes -- while all the
former police stations have been utilized by the Gendarme Police as
their headquarters . These are now known as Gendarme Police Stations .
Speaking of the laws in question , Capt . Kimura said that they
were divided into two categories applications for permission ,
and reports . As for the former , they must be sent to the Diviſional
Headquarters and four copies of the application are required . As
regards reports , they can be submitted to the Gendarme Police Sta
tions and only two copies are necessary . These applications and
reports would in turn be sent to the Gendarme Headquarters , which
would submit them to His Excellency the Governor . When permission
is given by the Governor , the persons concerned would be issued
with documents certifying their bona fides so that their rights
would be respected .
Must Apply Again .
Captain Kimura pointed out that the permission granted previous
ly by the former Military Affairs Bureau was now no longer valid ,
so that those persons already in business , must again apply for per
mission . Japanese and Third Nationals should send in their applica
tions or reports before the end of April , and the Chinese before the
end of June . He emphasized that the authorities would do all they
could to grant as many applications as possible , and urged the public
not to be afraid to apply .
Referring to the law on residence , Capt . Kimura said that reports
but not applications for permission must be made by all residents ,
whether they have any intention to move or not . In the event of
any person wishing to move , he or she should make a report , but the
application for permission is the responsibility of the landlord . If
the landlord is absent , then the tenant should also apply for per
mission .
Strict Enforcement .
Any breach of the laws , Capt . Kimura pointed out , would result
in punishment . Serious offences would be tried by court -martial;
minor ones would be dealt with at the Gendarme Police Stations .
Speaking of discipline in the Gendarme Police , Capt . Kimura
said that under the former British Government there had been a lot
of scandals about the Police Force with accusations of bribery .
etc. The Gendarmerie is going to see to it that there should be
no such scandals by imposing strict discipline , at the same time
giving fair treatment to the populace . Therefore , the public
should give up the idea that they could gain the favour of the
Gendarmes by giving bribes or presents .
- 72 -
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 31 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 11
The regulations pertaining to the Chinese Co-operative Council
are herewith promulgated .
( Signed ) RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor ,
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , March 28 . .
Regulations for the Chinese Co-operative Council
1. In order to ensure the smooth conduct of affairs of Chinese
residents in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , there is
now established the Hong Kong Chinese Co-operative Council ,
called for short the Co-operative Council below .
The Co-operative Council will be under the direction
of the Chinese Representative Council , which will submit
to the various departments of the Hong Kong Government
for examination matters concerning the governing and co
operation of Chinese residents .
2. The Chinese Representative Council will elect the president
and members of the Co-operative Council from Chinese re
siding in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , and those
who are to represent all sections of the people will be
appointed by the Governor .
3. The Co-operative Council will appoint one chairman and one
vice - chairman from the elected members .
4. The Chinese Representative Council will attend to the Co
operative Council's meetings to state their opinion .
5 The opinion of the Council's chairman , president and
members will be discussed and decided upon .
6. After the opinions have been set forth and discussed ,
the Chinese Representative Council will present them to
the Government .
This Council will be established from the day of the publica
tion of this notice .
- 73 -
THE HONGKONG NEWS
March 31 , 1942
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No.5
It is hereby notified that from Showa 17th Year , April 1 ,
ordinary mail will be accepted for transmission to the following
countries : - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Turkey , Bulgaria ,
Switzerland , Spain , Portugal , Spanish African Colonies , Portuguese
Colonies .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year, March 30 .
- 74 -
Enclosure No. 37 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 1 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 6
All Third Nationals are hereby notified that they are required
to obtain new certificates , and must proceed themselves to obtain
aid new certificates in accordance with the proper procedure , as
follows :
1. Place of issue The Office of the Governor of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong , at the Foreign Affairs Section ( former
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building ) .
2. Dates of issue From Showa 17th Year , April 1 to 15 .
3. Times of issue Daily within the period aforementioned from
9 a . m . to 1 p . m . , and from 2 p . m . to 5 p . m .
4. Forms of application may be obtained at the above office .
5. Documents required Passports , present certificates and any
other documents verifying a person's nationality .
6. Any person who gives false particulars as to name , country or
other matter , or who employs improper methods to obtain a
certificate , will be severely punished and certificates so ob
tained will be null and void . Certificates now issued must
be given up at the time the new certificates are issued .
7. Period of validity of new certificates From date of issue
to Showa 17th Year , September 30 .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government.
Showa 17th Year , March 30 .
- 75 -
Enclosure No. 38 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 8 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notice No. 7
1. The following banks are to be classed as enemy banks :
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ; Chartered Bank of
India , Australia and China ; Mercantile Bank of India ; Banque Belge
Pour L'Etranger ; National City Bank of New York ; Chase Bank ;
American Express Company . Underwriters Savings Bank ; Netherlands
Trading Society ; Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank .
2. The above enemy banks are to be liquidated .
3. The liquidators of the above banks are the Yokohama Specie
Bank and the Bank of Taiwan , as follows :
The Yokohama Specie Bank will liquidate the affairs of the
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation , Chartered Bank of India ,
Australia and China , Mercantile Bank of India and Banque Belge Pour
L'Etranger ;
The Bank of Taiwan will liquidate the affairs of the National
City Bank of New York , Chase Bank , American Express Company, Under
writers Savings Bank , Netherlands Trading Society and Nederlandsch
Indische Handelsbank .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 7 .
76 C
Enclosure No. 39 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 8 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 13
1. The safe deposit boxes and articles deposited for safe
keeping in the following banks , except such as belong to enemy
nationals will be released :
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank ; Chartered Bank ; Mercantile Bank ;
National City Bank ; Chase Bank ; Banque Belge pour L'Etranger ;
Netherlands Trading Society ; Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank ;
China Overseas Bank ; China State Bank ; Wing On Bank ; Kincheng Bank
ing Corporation ; Yien Vieh Commercial Bank ; Bank of East Asia ,
Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank ; Manufacturers ' Bank of China ;
Bank of Canton ; China and South Sea Bank ; Bank of China ; Bank of
Communications .
2. The hours during which property will be released are from
10 a . m . to 4 p . m . daily
.
Sunday is a holiday .
3. Valuables deposited in these banks and safe deposit boxes
therein must be collected during the period detailed below . If any
person does not collect his or her property during the periods men
tioned , then he or she will be considered to have forfeited his or:
her right to the articles . There will be no release of articles or
safe deposit boxes after the periods detailed below .
Special periods for release of articles will be assigned in the
case of the following banks : - Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank , Chartered
Bank , Mercantile Bank , National City Bank , Chase Bank , Banque Belge
pour L'Etranger, Netherlands Trading Society , Nederlandsch Indische
Handelsbank .
4. The dates for release of articles , when depositors may obtain
their property , with the numbers of the boxes , follows :
Chartered Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , release on May 8 ;
special release date , May 18 .
Mercantile Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , May 8 ; special
release date , May 18 .
National City Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , May 9 ;
special release date , May 19 .
- 77
Public Notification No. 13 ( Continued )
Chase Bank.- Articles deposited for safety and safe deposit
boxes , May 9 ; special release date , May 19 .
Banque Belge Pour L'Etranger.- Articles deposited for safety ,
May 1l ; special release date , May 20 .
Netherlands Trading Society.- Articles deposited for safety ; May
11 ; special release date , May 20 .
Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank.- Articles deposited for safety ,
May 12 ; special release date , May 20 .
Bank of China.- Articles deposited for safety , May 12 .
China Overseas Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , May 13 .
Bank of Communications.- Articles deposited for safety , May 14 .
China State Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , May 14 .
Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank.- Articles deposied for
safety , May 15 .
Manufacturers Bank of China.- Articles deposited for safety , May
15 .
China and South Sea Bank.- Articles deposited for safety , May 15 .
Yien Yieh Commercial Bank.- Articles deposited for safety and
safe deposit boxes , May 13 .
Bank of Canton : The following safe deposit boxes will be released
on the dates mentioned : - April 13 ; 401-500 , 2101-2200 ; April 14 : 1501
1600 , 1001-1101 ; April 15 : 2301-2400 , 201-300 ; April 16 : 701-800 ;
1301-1400 ; April 17 : 1901-2000 , 301-400 ; April 18 : 1201-1300 ; 1701
1800 ; April 20 : 801-900 , 1-100 ; April 21 : 1601-1700 , 2201-2300 ; April
22 : 601-700 , 2001-2100 ; April 23 : 1101-1200 , 2401-2500 ; April 24 :
901-1000 , 501-600 ; April 25 : 1401-1500 , 1801-1900 , all articles
deposited for safety .
Kincheng Banking Corporation : The following safe deposit boxes
will be released on dates mentioned : - April 27 : 301-400 , 501-600 ;
April 28 : 101-200 , 501-600 ; April 29 : 1-100 , 201-300 ; April 30 : 601
700 , 801-900 ; May 1 : 901-1000 , 401-500 , all articles deposited for
safety .
Wing On Bank : The following safe deposit boxes will be released
on dates mentioned : - May 2 : 301-400 , 801-900 ; May 4 : 601-700 , 1-100 ;
May 5 : 401-500 ; 501-600 ; May 6 : 901-1037 , 201-300 ; May 7 : 701-800 .
78
Public Notification No. 13 . ( Continued )
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank . The following are the numbers of
boxes to be released , with dates mentioned . Special dates for re
lease in addition are from May 25 to May 30 .
April 13 : 1401-1500 , 2301-2400 ; April 14 : 701-800 , 5601-5700 ;
April 15 : 4501-4600 , 6601-6700 ; April 16 : 3401-3500 , 2801-2900 ;
April 17 : 5101-5200 , 401-500 ; April 18 : 4001-4100 , 6201-6300 ;
April 20 : 6001-6100 , 1801-1900 ; April 21 : 2601-2700 , 4901-5000 ;
April 22 : 1001-1100 , 3601-3700 ; April 23 : 5401-5500 , 2901-3000 ;
April 24 : 6301-6400 , 4301-4400 ; April 25 : 801-900 , 2101-2200 ; April
27 : 3801-3900 , 201-300 ; April 28 : 6801-6900 , 1301-1400 ; April 29 :
4701-4800 , 2501-2600 ; April 30 : 5801-5900 , 3001-3100 ; May 1 : 1601
1700-4201-4300 ; May 2 : 3201-3300 , 6101-6200 ; May 4 : 1901-2000 , 501
600 ; May 5 : 5201-5300 , 1101-1200 ; May 6 : 3501-3600 , 2201-2300 ;
May 7 : 5501-5600 , 4401-4500 ; May 8 : 1501-1600 , 6501-6600 ; May 9 :
1-100 , 2401-2500 ; May 11 : 5901-6000 , 3301-3400 ; May 12 : 1201-1300 ,
5001-5100 ; May 13 : 601-700 , 3901-4000 ; May 14 : 4601-4700 , 6701-6800 ;
May 15 : 901-1000 , 5701-5800 ; May 16 : 3101-3200 ; 6901-7000 ; May 18 :
1701-1800 , 5301-5400 ; May 19 : 2701-2800 , 4101-4200 ; May 20 ; 6401-6500
3701-3800 ; May 21 : 301-400 , 2001-2100 ; May 22 : 4801-4900 , all articles
deposited for safety .
Bank of East Asia : The following are the numbers of boxes to be
released , with dates mentioned : - April 13 : 1701-1800 , 801-900 ;
April 14 : 2301-2400 , 3401-3500 ; April 15 : 201-300 , 2701-2800 ; April
16 : 1301-1400 , 3901-4000 ; April 17 : 2001-2100 , 601-700 ; April 18 :
3001-3100 , 1501-1600 ; April 20 : 2601-2700 , 3701-3800 ; April 21 :
1101-1200 , 4201-4300 ; April 22 : 401-500 , 1801-1900 ; April 23 : 3101
3200 , 2401-2500 ; April 24 : 901-1000 , 3501-3600 ; April 25 : 3501-3600 ,
1401-1500 ; April 27 : 2901-3000 , 4001-4100 ; April 28 : 2101-2200 , 3201
3300 ; April 29 : 501-600 , 3801-3900 ; April 30 : 1901-2000 , 701-800 ; May
1 : 4101-4200 , 2801-2900 ; May 2 : 301-400 , 3301-3400 ; May 4 : 1201-1300 ,
2501-2600 ; May 5 : 3601-3700 , 1601-1700 ; May 6 : 2201-2300 , 1001-1100 ;
5
May 7 : all articles deposited for safety .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government
Showa 17th Year , April 7 .
- 79 -
Enclosure No. 40 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 12 , 1942 .
NOTICE
All Norwegians residing in Hong Kong or Kowloon are hereby
notified to report to the Foreign Affairs Section of the Hong
Kong Government on Thursday , April 17 , at 11 a . m .
The southern entrance of the Government Building should be
used .
By Order of the
Foreign Affairs Section ,
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , April 11 .
80 -
Enclosure No. 41 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 14 , 1942
NOTICE
By order of Hong Kong Senryoti Sotoku , the Bank of Taiwan ,
Limited , have been entrusted with the liquidation of the following
Banks . All those who have claims against these Banks must register
their claims to the Liquidation Office during the period of 13th
April to 27th April , 1942 . Those who have not registered during
the period mentioned above will be regarded as having their claims
forfeited .
Name of Banks in Liquidation Location of Liquidation Offices
National City Bank of New York Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Central ..
Chase Bank Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Central .
American Express Co. Inc. Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Central .
Underwriters Bank Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Central .
Nederlandsche Handel Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Maatschappij , N. V. Central .
Nederlandsch Indische Chase Bank , 15-19 , Queen's Road ,
Handelsbank , N. V. Central
The forms for registration of claims can be obtained at the
Liquidation Office .
Hong Kong , l1th April , 1942 .
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LIMITED .
81
Enclosure No. 42 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 14 , 1942
NOTICE
By Order of Hong Kong Senryoti Sototku , the Yokohama Specie
Bank , Limited , have been entrusted with the liquidation of the follow
ing Banks . All those who have claims against these Banks must register
their claims to the Liquidation Office of the relative Banks during
the period of 13th April to 27th April , 1942 ( in the case of Hong Kong
& Shanghai Banking Corporation until 2nd May , 1942 ) . Those who have
not registered during the period mentioned above will be regarded as
having their claims forfeited .
Nameof Banks in Liquidation Location of Liquidation Offices
of the relative banks .
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Chartered Bank Building ,
Corporation 3 , Queer.s Road , Central .
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Chartered Bank Building ,
Corporation ( Kowloon Sub 3 , Queen's Road , Central .
Agency ) .
Chartered Bank of India , Chartered Bank Building ,
Australia & China 4A , Des Voeux Road , Central .
Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd. Mercantile Bank Building ,
7 , Queen's Road , Central .
Banque Belge pour l'Etranger Chartered Bank Building ,
( Extreme-Orient ) S. A. 4A , Des Voeux Road , Central .
The forms for registration of claims can be obtained at the
Liquidation Office of the respective Banks .
Hong Kong , l1th April , 1942 .
THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK , LTD .
.
- 82 -
Enclosure No. 43 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 16 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 13
The Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong has enacted
the following rules for the Bureaus dealing with the governing of the
Captured territory of Hong Kong .
RENSUKE ISOGAI ,
Governor of the Captured Territory
Of Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , April 16 .
( Regulations for the Bureaus dealing with the governing of
Hong Kong . )
Article 1 . The following Bureaus are appointed for governing
the Captured Territory of Hong Kong : - Hong Kong Bureau ; Kowloon
Bureau ; New Territory Bureau .
The position of the Bureaus and areas governed by them will
be decided later .
Article 2 . The Bureaus will employ the following personnel :
Chiefs of Bureau , 3 ; Deputy Chiefs of Bureau , 3 ; Subordinate Chiefs ,
9 ; Officials , 126 .
Article 3 . The Chief of Bureau under orders from the Chief of the
Governor's Office will supervise the carrying out of the Governor's
laws and attend to the business of the Bureau .
Article 4 . The Chief of Bureau will direct and supervise his
subordinates .
Article 5 . If the Chief of Bureau should be otherwise occupied ,
the Deputy Chief will take charge of the Chief of Bureau's duties ,
Should the Deputy Chief of Bureau be otherwise occupied , the Chief of
the Governor's Office will depute one of the subordinate chiefs to act
for him .
83 -
Governor's Order No. 13 ( Continued )
Article 6 . The Deputy Chief of Bureau will assist the Chief of
Bureau in his business .
Article 7. Each Bureau will establish three subordinate offices
as follows : - General Office , Economic Office , Health Office .
Article 8 . The duties of the General Office : - l . To handle the 1
general business ; 2 . To deal with financial plans ; 3 . To deal with
.
educational matters ; 4 . To handle other matters concerning their area .
Article 9 . The duties of the Economic Office are : - 1 . To deal
with industrial economy ; 2. To deal with communications and transporta
tion ; 3. To deal with necessities from raw materials .
Article 10 . The duties of the Health Office are : - 1. To deal
with promotion of health ; 2 . To deal with the infectious diseases and
other diseases ; 3 . To deal with medical supplies .
Article 11 . All subordinate chiefs will carry out their duties
under the direction and supervision of the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs
of Bureau .
Article 12 . Officials will carry out their duties under their
superiors .
Article 13 . In small islands and places not easily accessible to
communications , branch offices may be instituted under the head office .
Article 14 . The head of a bianch office will act under the
orders of the Chief of Bureau .
This order shall take effect from date of publication .
- 84 -
Enclosure No. 44 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 16 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 14
The Governor of Hong Kong has determined the following places
as the areas to be governed by the Bureaus .
RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong
Showa , 17th Year , April 16 .
Hong Kong Area Bureau .- Established in Hong Kong . This Bureau
will deal with all the island of Hong Kong and the small islands around
Hong Kong , including Cheung Chau Island and Ping Chau Island .
Kowloon Area Bureau.- Established in Kowloon . This Bureau will
deal with Kowloon , Kai Tak area and Tsun Wan .
New Territory Bureau.- Established in Taipo Market . This Bureau
will deal with all the New Territories , except those areas under the
Kowloon Bureau .
85
Enclosure No. 45 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 17 , 1943 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 10
All religious bodies , which are included in the governance of
the Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong ,
should they wish to resume the practice or preaching of religion or
any other activity connected therewith , must furnish the information
laid down hereunder and transmit their request for permission to the
Governor's Office through the intermediary of their local Bureau .
Should they not have obtained this permission or supplied the
particulars required , they will be considered to have contravened
those instructions and will be ordered to discontinue their activities .
Particulars to be furnished :
1. Name of the religious body , with names of its various sects ,
and branches .
2. Address .
3. Representative of the body ( Antecedents to be attached ) .
Ą. Preachers of the religion ( Antecedents to be attached ) .
5. Date when teaching of the religion started .
6..
What languages are used ?
7. Nationality and number of followers .
8. Activities attached to the religious body , with particulars
of organization and position .
9. Expenses of running and maintenance .
N. B. If there be any change in the above items 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ,
and 8 , it must be notified beforehand with a request for permission .
BY ORDER OF THE
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT .
Showa , 17th Year , April 16 .
- 86 --
Enclosure No. 46 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 17 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 15
The attached regulations are ordered to be used in the conducting
of private classes for the Nipponese language.
RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong .
Showa , .17th Year , April 16 .
( Regulations for Private Classes in the Nipponese Language ) .
Article 1.- In this order the term Nipponese language classes re
fer to classes having as their object instruction in the Nipponese
language . If the course covers one year or more they are referred to
as " schools . "
Article 2.- Any person wishing to open a class for teaching the
Nipponese language must furnish the particulars below and transmit
them through the local General Office requesting permission of the
Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong to deal
with the matter . If , however , there are less than ten students and no
fees are charged , then there is no need to comply with the order .
1. Name of class or school .
2. Address of class or school .
3. Date of establishment ( year , month and day ) .
4. Established by whom ( antecedents to be attached ) . .
5. Teachers ( antecedents to be attached ) .
6. Scholastic terms and hours .
7.. Curriculum .
8.. Rules for the class or school .
9. Number of students .
10 . Fees .
· 87
Governor's_Order No. 15 ( Continued )
Article 3.- Classes for teaching the Nipponese language , which
have that teaching as their main objective , can when necessary teach
other subjects , such as sport and moral subjects .
Article 4.- Any persons who have not requested permission to open
or who have not furnished the above particulars will be considered to
be not in order and they will be stopped from continuing their teach
ing
Article 5.- If a class for the Nipponese language desires to stop ,
then before doing so a request must be forwarded explaining the
reasons .
Attached Notice :
This order is effective from the date of publication .
These classes which have opened and described in Article 1 be
fore promulgation of this order must immediately forward their
particulars as set forth herein .
88
Enclosure No. 47 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 20 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 12
The following new names of streets and roads have been adopted
for the Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
Nakasumiyoshi-dori ( formerly Connaught Road Central , from
Murray Road to Connaught Road West ) .
Nishisumiyoshi-dori ( formerly Connaught Road West ) .
Higashisumiyoshi-dori ( formerly Gloucester Road , Wanchai ) .
Nakameiji -dori ( formerly Queen's Road Central , from Murray Road
to Queen's Road West ) ..
Higashimeiji-dori ( formerly Queen's Road East , from Parade Ground
to Morrison Hill ) .
Nishimeiji -dori ( formerly Queen's Road West , from Queen's Road
Central to West ) .
Higashishowa-dori ( formerly Des Voeux Road Central , from Shanghai
Bank to Western Market ) .
Nishishowa-dori ( formerly Des Voeux Road West , from Wing Lok
Wharf to the China Provident Godown ) .
Higashitaisho - dori ( formerly Kennedy Road , from Garden Road to
Wanchai ) .
Nakataisho-dori ( formerly Upper Albert Road , from Caine Road to
Garden Road and Caine koad which is from Arbuthnot Road to Bonham
Road ) .
Nashitaisho - dori ( formerly Bonham Road , from Caine Road westward
to Pokfulum Road ) .
Yawata-dori ( formerly Praya East , from Arsenal Street to Yee Wo
Street ) .
Kasuga-dori ( formerly Yee Woo Street from Praya East to Causeway
Road ) .
Higawa-dori ( formerly Causeway Road , from Yee Woo Street to
Caroline Road ) .
Hokoku-dori ( King's Road from Causeway Bay to the Sugar Refinery ) .
Izumo-dori ( formerly Conduit Road , from Queen's Gardens to Hatton
Road ) .
Kirishima-dori ( formerly Bowen Road , from Garden Road to Stubbs
Road ) .
Katorido-dori ( formerly Nathan Road , from Peninsula Hotel to Tai
Po Road ) .
Kashima-dori ( formerly Prince Edward Road , from Taikoktsui Road
to Kai Tak Road ) .
Nioigamine ( formerly Victoria Peak ) .
-
89 -
Public Notification No. 12 ( Continued )
Kyuriu -kyogijio ( formerly King's Park near the Monument ) .
Showashiroba ( formerly Statue Square outside Shanghai Bank ).
Aobadani ( formerly Happy Valley , Race Course area ) .
Taisho Koyen ( formerly Botanical Garden in front of the former
Government House ) .
Midorigahama ( formerly Repulse Bay ) .
Sanno - dai ( formerly Kennedy Town , Western side of Hong Kong ) .
Motohonkon ( formerly Aberdeen ) .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 20 .
- 90 --
Enclosure No. 48 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 20 , 1942 ,
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 13
With reference to Order No. 9 issued by the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong , the various District Bureaus in
the said Territory will make arrangements for the filling up of
forms concerned under the Order free of charge , as stated below .
Within the dates specified , those desiring assistance in the
matter may request these District Bureaus to fill the forms on their
behalf .
1 . The free service is confined to those who cannot write
the reports or requests in the Nipponese language
2. The period for taking advantage of this free service is
from Showa 17th Year , April 19 to June 20 , inclusive .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 17 .
- 91 -
O
Enclosure No. 49 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 21 , 1942
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 18
With effect from Showa 17th Year , May 1 , the following regu
lations will be applied for limitation of postal matter .
RENSUKE ISOGAI
Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong .
Showa 17th Year , April 20 .
1. All postal matter must show the name and address of the
sender , and if the sender or receiver is not a Nipponese
national then his nationality must also be indicated .
2. Postal matter intended for foreign countries , except the
Republic of China and Manchoukuo , must be handed in to
the main post office or a branch post office , and stamps
are not to be affixed beforehand .
3. Double envelopes and privately -made postcards are not to
be used . This regulation , however , does not apply to postal
matter intended for the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
or for Nipponese territory , including Kwantung Leased
Territory and the Southern Regions .
Ą Languages to be used in postal matter are limited to
Nipponese , Chinese , Manchoukuoan and English .
5. Persons contravening these regulations will have their
postal articles confiscated .
- 92 -
Enclosure No. 50 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 21 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 15
It is notified that any persons wishing to open a private
schooi or kindergarten must , in accordance with the Governor's
Order No. 16 concerning the regulations enacted for private schools ,
request permission from the Governor of the Captured Territory of
Hong Kong . Those desiring detailed information may apply to the
Education Department of the Governor's Office .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government ,
Showa , 17th Year, April 20 .
!
- 93 -
Enclosure No. 51 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 21 , 1942
Public Notification No. 14
From Showa 17th Year , May 1 , postal matter will be collected
from street letter boxes . Any letter box not marked with a sign
that it is closed may be used for posting of mail .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 20 .
- 94 -
Enclosure No. 52 to report dated June 1, 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 21 , 1942 .
Education Dept. Statement
Issued in explanation of Order No. 16 .
" Because normal and peaceful conditions have now been restored
in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , all inhabitants have now
peacefully settled down again to their various occupations .
" Applications have now been received by the officials from
schools and kindergartens for permission to reopen . This is another
good sign of the return of normalcy and prosperity in Hong Kong . In
view of the great enthusiasm among the schools to reopen , the Govern
ment has in Order No. 16 enforced regulations governing the conduct
of private schools and private kindergartens as a guide to be fol
lowed by the various schools . All schools obeying the Governmental
regulations and are efficiently managed in other respects will be
permitted to function .
" Since the occupation of Hong Kong by the Imperial Nipponese
Army , Hong Kong has become an important base in Greater East Asia
reconstruction .
Future Programme
" Teachers of schools here must realize their responsibility to
aid civilization in the Greater East Asia Sphere . In the past the
Hong Kong education systen has been an obstacle to the progress of
East Asia reconstruction . Therefore a stop should be made to this and
future education programme must be shaped in accordance with
the natural tendency of East Asia thought with the object of spreading
Nipponese civilization .
- 95
Enclosure No. 53 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject
of ' Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 22 , 1942 .
PublicNotificationNo. 16
The branch postal office below will commence functioning on
Showa 17th Year , May 1 .
Name : Stanley Branch of the Hong Kong Post Office .
Location : In Wong Ma Chung Road , Hong Kong .
Business handled : Collection and delivery of postal matter ,
and sale of postage stamps .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 20 .
- 96 -
Enclosure No. 54 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 22 , 1942
Public Notification No. 17
The holding of race meetings in the areas controlled by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong is limited to the
newly formed Hong Kong Race Club .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 21 .
- 97 -
-
Enclosure No. 55 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 23 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 18
In accordance with Article 6 of the new regulations for schools
and Article 8 of the new regulations for kindergartens , those persons
wishing to obtain permission to be teachers in schools or kinder
gartens must fill in the form described below and forward it to the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong requesting permission .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 22 .
Particulars for form for request for a teacher for school or
kindergarten .
PHOTOGRAPH
Kind of School ( application for teacher only ) .
I apply for permission to act as teacher in school ( or kinder
garten ) and forward my certificates and antecedents requesting that
permission may be granted .
Showa ... Year ,
Address :
Name :
To Lieut-General Rensuke Isogai ,
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
( N. B. This form is to be in the Nipponese language ) .
98 -
Enclosure No. 56 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the
subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 24 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Public Notification No. 19
From Showa 17th Year , April 27 , the Hong Kong Cable Office
will remove to the former Cable Office in the Nakasumiyoshi
dori .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , April 23 .
i - 99 -
Enclosure No. 57 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject
of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 24 , 1942 .
Notice .
By Order of the Hong Kong Government , we beg to announce that
this Establishment , the TOA HOTEL , formerly the PENINSULA HOTEL ,
opens for business as from April 10th , Showa 17th .
First Class accommodation , excellent Banquets ; both European and
Chinese Food will be served for entertaining parties , etc.
Patrons are always welcome ,
Mr. TAKESIRO IOKI ,
Proprietor ,
TOA HOTEL .
April 10th , Showa 17th .
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 25 , 1942 .
The Race Club .
Announcement .
The First Race Meeting of the year will beheld on the following
dates :
First Day April 25th ( Saturday ) . 1st race commencing at 1 p.m.
Second Day- April 26th ( Sunday ) . .
lst race commencing at 12 noon .
Admission
Public Enclosure -
M.Y.0.50 .
Members ' Enclosure - M.Y.2.00 .
Badges for admission to Members ' Enclosure are issued only upon
written introduction by Members and must be applied for at the Club's
Main Office , Exchange Building .
Children will not be admitted .
Tickets
Pari - mutuel - M.Y.2.50 . and M.Y.25.00 .
Cash Sweep - M.Y.0.50 .
Through Tickets and Cash Sweep Tickets can be obtained at the
Club's Office .
An Inaugural Meeting of the club will be held at the Club House ,
Aobadani , on 25th April at il a.m. All members of the Club are
requested to attend .
C
100 -
Enclosure No. 58 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the subject
of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 29 , 1942 .
Requirements for Those Leaving H.K.
In order that persons leaving Hong Kong may know what to do ,
the Repatriation Bureau yesterday issued a notice , mentioning the
following requirements :
People leaving for Canton and Macao , must have a cholera and
inoculation certificate with a photograph attached , a vaccination
certificate and a permit for departure .
In buying tickets , two photographs must be produced .
Tickets for Macao can be bought at the Inland Transportation
Company , except for third class which are sold at the Wing Lok
Wharf . Tickets must be bought one day before the sailing of the ship .
Passengers going to Taiping , Shikiu , Kongmoon , and Tongkawan
are required to have a cholera inoculation certificate , a vaccination
certificate , a medical examination certificate with photograph at
tached , and a departure permit .
Two photographs must be produced when buying tickets , which
are sold at the Saikong Wharf . Tickets must be bought one day before
the sailing of the ship .
Inoculation Centers .
In Hong Kong , cholera injections can be had , by payment of 50
sen , from the Health Bureau on the second floor of the former National
City Bank Building , the Sino-Nipponese Medical Association at the
former Prince's Building , Tung Wah Hospital in Po Yan Street , and the
Tung Wah Hospital town office on the second floor of the Bank of China
Building
In Kowloon , injections can be obtained at the Kwong Wah Hospital
and at the Chinese Y.M.C.A. for a similar charge .
As for medical examination , this is conducted at the Anti
Epidemic Bureau in the former York Building . The fee is one Yen and
the certificate is valid for three days .
In applying for departure permit at the District Bureaus, the
person concerned must return his or her ration card .
Persons leaving for Swatow and Kwangchowwan must obtain departure
permits from the Repatriation Office .
101
Enclosure No. 59 to report dated June 1 , 1943 on the
subject of " Hong Kong Under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
April 30 , 1942
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Governor's Order No. 19
The regulations for telephones are hereunder enacted by the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
RENSUKE ISOGAI ,
Governor of the Captured Territory
of Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , April 28th .
TELEPHONE REGULATIONS FOR THE CAPTURED
TERRITORY OF HONG KONG .
ARTICLE 1 , The areas which are covered by telephones will
be announced later .
ARTICLE 2 .- Places where telephones may be installed are
limited to residences and business premises . The Telephone Bureau
is responsible for granting permission to install telephones in other
places .
ARTICLE 3 . Installation of telephones is to be in the name
of one person . Temples , schools , companies and lawfully organized
associations must submit the name of a representative and request
the Telephone Bureau for permission to install telephones . The
representative named is to be responsible for the telephone .
ARTICLE 4 . Any person applying to the Telephone Bureau for
permission to install a telephone must deposit the sum of Fifty Yen
( Yen 50 ) . The deposit of Fifty Yen will be refunded when the tele
phone is disconnected if the depositor be not penalized according
to Article 25 .
ARTICLE 5 . Persons applying for telephones or to remove their
telephones ( including sub - exchanges ) to another address must pay in
stallation charges according to the official scale .
ARTICLE 6 . A person wishing to transfer his telephone to
another person must apply to the Telephone Bureau for permission .
- 102 -
The transferee will succeed to all the privileges and responsi
bilities of the transferer .
Should the telephone subscriber die , his successor must notify
the Telephone Bureau within three months of that date to obtain per
mission to take over the installation . This stipulation is limited
to the lawful successor .
ARTICLE 7 . Government offices and benevolent associations may,
if necessary , be excused from paying the deposit .
ARTICLE 8 . The subscriber must request permission before re
moving to another place any telephone apparatus.
ARTICLE 9 . When persons employed on public works or building
projects are prevented from carrying out Article 4 and the previous
ones , they may dispense with requests for installation or removal .
ARTICLE 10 . The Telephone Bureau will allocate a telephone
number to each subscriber , but such numbers may be changed when
necessary in the case of those employed on public works or building
projects .
The telephone directory will contain the telephone number , address
of installation , name of subscriber and any other relevent information .
ARTICLE 11. — The subscriber may be registered in the telephone
book under his own name and that of his firm , providing permission is
obtained for the subscriber to be entered in more than one place .
ARTICLE 12 . The Telephone Bureau assumes responsibility for
maintenance of the subscriber's installation , but the subscriber is
responsible for removals .
ARTICLE 13 . The subscriber is not permitted to move , change ,
disconnect or add any other parts to his installation .
ARTICLE 14 . The subscriber may not refuse permission to the
Telephone Bureau employees from entering the place where the telephone
is installed to test or repair the apparatus .
With reference to this item , the employee must carry on his person
proof of his identity as a Telephone Bureau employee .
ARTICLE 15 . The subscriber will be responsible for repairing
any damage or making good any loss to apparatus and he will have to
restore the installation to its former condition if he tampers with
it as explained in article 13 .
ARTICLE 16 . The subscriber or applicant in his request must
state whether he requires any of the following fixtures :
103 - -
1. Electric Bell ; 6. Indoor telephone ;
2. Telephone number board ; 7. Outdoor telephone ;
3. Table telephone ( new model ) ; 8. Telephone on flexible lead
4. Telephone for ship use ; 9. Apparatus for plugging ;
5. Sub - exchange ; 10 . Interrupter .
ARTICLE 17 . Telephone charges are as follows :
1. Charges for installation . -- Initial installation charge ,
Yen 25 ; special fixtures ( excepting sub-exchange ) , Yen 5 ; sub
exchange , according to cost of fitting .
2 . Telephone charges:
HONG KONG
Within Victoria City , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Hollywood Road , Nos . 1 and 2 , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Hollywood Road , No. 3 and above , annual charge , Yen 130 ;
Hollywood Terrace , Nos . 1 to 5 , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Hollywood Terrace , Nos . 6 and above , annual charge , Yen 130 ;
Tsing Yip Hill ( Green Leaf Hill ) , including Wongneichung Road
Nos . 1 to 87 , annual charge , Yen 130 ;
Wongneichung Road Nos . 88 and above , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Causeway Bay to Ming Yuen , annual charge , Yen 170 ;
Ming Yuen to Tsat Chi Mui ( sugar factory ) , annual charge , Yen 190 ;
Tsat Chi Mui to Saiwanho Market , annual charge , Yen 210 ;
Shaukiwan , annual charge , Yen 250 ;
Midorigahama , annual charge , Yen 230 ;
Sham Shui Wan , annual charge , Yen 190 ;
Pokfulum Road , Nos . 1 to 79 and 2 to 66 , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Pukfulum Road , Nos . 81 and above , and 66 and above , annual
charge , Yen 170 .
KOWLOON
Within the Kowloon market area ( including Yaumati , Mongkok ,
Homuntin , Taikoktsui , Hunghom , Hokyuen , and Mataukok ) , annual
charge , Yen 120 ;
Shamshuipo , annual charge , Yen 170 ;
Cheungshawan , annual charge , Yen 170 ;
Laichikok , annual charge , Yen 210 ;
Laichikok Road , Nos . I to 185 and 2 to 162 , annual charge , Yen
120 ;
Laichikok Road , Nos . 187 and above , and 164 , annual charge ,
Yen 170 ;
Tainam Street , Nos . 1 to 197 and 10 to 182 ,annual charge ,
Yen 120 ;
Tainam Street , Nos . 199 and above , and 184 and above , annual
charge , Yen 170 ;
Waterloo Road , Nos . 101 to 163 , annual charge , Yen 170 ;
Waterloo Road , Nos . 1 to 100 , annual charge , Yen 120 ;
Tsunwan , annual charge , Yen 310 ;
Kowloon City ( lowest ) annual charge , Yen 170 .
- 104 -
ADDITIONAL CHARGES :
Adding electric bell , annual charge , large bell Yen 12 ,
small bell , Yen 6 ,
Adding telephone number board , annual charge , Yen 6 .
Table telephone ( new model ) , annual charge , Yen 12 ,.
Telephone for ship use ( including cabinet ) , annual charge ,
Yen 18 .
Telephone for ship use , charge per hour , Yen 10 .
Telephone on flexible lead , annual charge , Yen 36 .
Indoor telephone , annual charge , Yen 36 .
Outdoor telephone . --within 50 yards , annual charge , Yen 40 ;
within 100 yards , annual charge , Yen 50 ; within 200 yards , annual
charge , Yen 60 ; within 300 yards, annual charge , Yen 70 ; within
400 yards , annual charge , Yen 80 ; within 600 yards , annual charge ,
Yen 90 ; within one mile , annual charge , Yen 100 ; within one and a
half miles , annual charge , Yen 140 ; within two miles , annual
charge , Yen 180 ; within two and a half miles , annual charge , Yen
200 ; within three miles , annual charge , Yen 220 ; within three and
a half miles , annual charge , Yen 240 ; within four miles , annual
charge , Yen 250 .
Interrupter installation , annual charge , Yen 18 .
Sub-exchange , annual charge for one apparatus , Yen 1 .
Sub-exchange , current charge , annual charges ---
four to six return wires , Yen 36 ;
ten to 12 return wires , Yen 48 ;
25 to 50 return wires , Yen 60 ;
50 return wires and above , Yen 81 .
Current for electric bells , annual charge , Yen 81 .
Plugging apparatus , annual charge , Yen 6 .
3. Fee for telephone directory , Yen 10 .
4. Fee for changing name , Yen 10 .
5. Charge for changing apparatus , Yen 5 ; adding apparatus
inside a house , Yen 20 ; adding apparatus outside a house , Yen 5 .
Charges for bells for apparatus of sub- exchange , according
to actual cost .
ARTICLE 18 .-- Charges for installing telephones , changing
names and moving telephones must be paid for according to the
tariffs of the Telephone Bureau .
Telephone charges must be paid quarterly and under , and payment
must be made within ten days of the first month of the next quarter :
First Quarter , April 1st to June 30th ;
Second Quarter , July 1st to September 30 ;
Third Quarter , October lst to December 31st ;
Last Quarter , January 1st to March 31st .
. 105 -
ARTICLE 19 . -- If a telephone is installed within and in the
course of one of the periods laid down in the previous Article , the
charge will be calculated according to a daily rate based on the
annual charge , but this charge is to be liquidated within 15 days
after installation of the apparatus .
If there are new additional charges after installation , these
will be dealt with on the same scale .
- 106 -
Enclosure No. 60 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Cccupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 3 , 1942
The Race Club
Announcement
All Registered Owners are requested to lodge a Claim for their
ponies at the Club Office on or before 4 p . m . May 12 ,, 1942 .. All
ponies unclaimed at the expiry of this date will be forfeited and
will be Auctioned at the Race Course Paddock , at 2 p . m . May 3 , 1942 .
The Auction is confined to Members and Prospective Members of
the Club only .
The cost of Livery will be MY25.00 per month inclusive of the
service of one mafoo , trainer and a riding boy .
The Race Club
Auction of Ponies
An Auction of Ponies will be held on Sunday , 3rd May , 1942 , at
2 p . m . at the Race Course Paddock , Aobadani , All members and
prospective members are welcome . Payment must be made at the Club's
office within 48 hours after purchase .
Showa , 17th Year , April 30th .
107
Enclosure No. 61 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 5 , 1942
NOTICE
As a convenience , and with the agreement of the Hong Kong
Sonryoti Sotokubu Zaimubu , the dates for release of safe custody
articles deposited with the Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd. , are
to be changed to :
Wednesday, May 13th , 1942 .
SPECIAL RELEASE DATE
Friday , May 22nd , 1942 .
( instead of May 8th and May 18th respectively as previously
advertised ) .
THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK , LTD . ,
Liquidators ,
The Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd.
- 108 -
Enclosure No. 62 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 8 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 20 .
Notice is hereby given that movement , purchase or sale of
the mercantile goods as hereinunder mentioned are for the time
being prohibited unless permission has been obtained from the
Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
Goods affected : - Gunny bags , hemp , linen , linen bags .
If permission is required , a request must be filed with the
Financial Section of the Office of the Governor of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong and the issue of the permit duly awaited .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government
Showa , 17th Year , May 6 .
- 109 --
Enclosure No. 63 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 12 , 1942
Hong Kong Government
Public Notice No. 14
In pursuance of the provisions of Public Notice No. 13 issued
by the Hong Kong Government concerning the opening of safe deposit
boxes , the undermentioned bank has been added to the list :
Bank of East Asia ( Kowloon Branch ) .
The date for opening of safe deposit boxes and for release of
articles at the above bank is Showa , 17th Year , May 18 .
By order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , May 12 .
- 110 -
-
Enclosure No. 64 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 14 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 22
Notice is hereby given that , commencing Showa 17th Year , May 18
all persons who wish to install telephones and to make application for
permission in accordance with Article 31 of the Telephone Regulations
shall present themselves in person at the Telephone Bureau for the pur
pose . It is important that all the requirements as specified in the
forms of application shall be correctly filled .
BY ORDER OF THE
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Showa , 17th Year , May 12 .
111 -
Enclosure No. 65 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 14 , 1943
NOTICE
Under instructions received from the Finance Department of the
Hong Kong Senryoti Sotokubu the following banks will be open on the
under -mentioned dates and conditions for completion of the special pay
ments up to HK $ 500.00 of all deposit liabilities in addition to current
and savings accounts .
Those who have previously withdrawn the allotted HK $ 500.00 are
not entitled to further withdrawals during this period .
Condition :
lst . Withdrawals may only be made from personal accounts and
from only one account of each individual .
2nd . Funds may be drawn only by neutrals and non-enemy Chinese .
3rd . The premises from which payment shall be made are as follows :
Name of Banks in liquidation Premises of
The Chase Bank . Chase Bank
The National City Bank of N. Y. -do
Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij N. V. -do
Underwriters Bank for the Far East , Inc. Underwriters Bank for
the Far East
American Express Co. Inc ... -do
Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbar.k N. V ......... -do
4th . Dates of payment-May 15th to May 25th inclusive during the
hours of 10 AM to 12 AM and 2 PM to 4 PM excluding Sunday
which is a holiday .
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LTD . ,
Liquidators .
112 -
Enclosure No. 66 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
May 14 , 1942
Notice
Under instructions received from the Finance Department of the
Hong Kong Senryoti Sotokubu the following banks will be open on the
under-mentioned dates and conditions for completion of the special
payments up to HK $ 500.00 of all deposit liabilities in addition to
current and savings accounts .
Those who have previously withdrawn the allotted HK $ 500.00 are
not entitled to further withdrawals during this period .
Conditions :
lst . Withdrawals may only be made from personal accounts and
from only one account of each individual .
2nd . Funds may be drawn only by neutrals and non-enemy Chinese .
3rd . The premises from which payment shall be made are as follows :
Name of Banks in liquidation Premises of
The Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation The Chartered Bank
The Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation ,
Kowloon Branch ....... -do
The Chartered Bank of India , Australia &
China ...... -do
The Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd. The Mercantile Bank
Banque Belge pour l'Etranger ( Extreme Orient )
S.A. Banque Belge pour
l'Etranger
4th . Dates of payment -May 15th to May 25th inclusive during
the hours of 10 AM to 12 AM and 2 PM to 4PM excluding
Sunday which is a holiday .
THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK LTD . ,
Liquidators .
113 --
Enclosure No. 67 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 15 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 20
The following regulations are enacted regarding the Analytical
Laboratory of the Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of
Hong Kong .
RENSUKE ISOGAI ,
Governor ,
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , May 11 .
REGULATIONS OF THE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY OF THE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE CAPTURED TERRITORY OF HONG KONG .
Article 1.- The Analytical Laboratory ( hereafter called Laboratory )
of the Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
will , under the direction of the Governor's Office , take charge of the
analysis of mineral ores and all other substances .
Article 2.- The Laboratory will employ three chemists , one secre
tary , two laboratory assistants and four assistants .
Article 3.- The chemists will take charge of the analyses under
orders from their superior officers , The secretary will carry out his
duties under the orders of his superior officer . The laboratory as
sistants will carry out their duties of analysis under the orders of
their superior officers . The assistants will aid the chemists and
laboratory assistants .
Article 4.- The Laboratory will charge fees for analysis according
to the attached tariff .
Note.- This order is to come into effect from the date of publica
tion .
TARIFF FOR ANALYSIS .
1 . Ores.- To determine nature of ore , Yen 5 .
Antimony Ores.- Antimony , Yen 25 ; Lead , Yen 10 ; Sulphur , Yen 5 ;
Arsenic , Yen 10 ; Silicon , Yen 5 ; Silver , Yen 20 ; Gold , Yen 20 .
114 -
Governor's Order No. 20 ( Continued )
Paitial analysis , Yen 25 ; complete analysis , Yen 80 .
Bismuth Ores.- Bismuth , Yen 30 .
Gold Ores.- Gold , Yen 25 .
Iron Ores.- Iron percentage , Yen 25 ; Silicon , Yen 5 ; Phosphorous ,
Yen 10 .
Partial Analysis , Yen 25 ; complete analysis , Yen 80 .
Lead Ores.- Lead , Yen 25 ; Silver , Yen 20 ; Silicon , Yen 5 ; Sulphur ,
Yen 5 ; Gold , Yen 20 ; Zinc , Yen 5 .
Partial analysis , Yen 25 ; complete analysis , Yen 80 .
Manganese Ores.- Manganese , Yen 25 ; Manganese Oxide , Yen 15 ;
Silicon , Yen 5 ; Phosphorous , Yen 10 ; Sulphur , Yen 5 .
Partial analysis , Yen 25 ; complete analysis , Yen 80 .
Molybdenum Ores.- Molybdenum , Yen 25 ; Sulphur , Yen 5 .
Silver Ores.- Silver , Yen 25 .
Tin Ores.- Tin , Yen 25 ; Lead Yen 10 ; Silicon , Yen 5 . Complete
analysis .
Yttrium Ores.- Yttrium , Yen 25 ; Iron , Yen 5 .
Wolfram Ores . - Wolfram , Yen 30 ; Tin , Yen 10 ; Arsenic , Yen 10 .
Zinc Ores.- Zinc , Yen 25 ; Lead , Yen 5 ; Sulphur and Copper Sulphate ,
Yen 5 .
Partial analysis , Yen 22 ; complete analysis , Yen 80 .
2. Metals.- Aluminum , Antimony , Arsenic , Barium , Cadmium , Chromium
Calmium , Cobalt , Copper , Gold , Lead , Magnesium , Manganate , Mercury .
Molybdenum , Nickel , Phosphorous , Potassium , Silver , Strontium , Sodium ,
Sulphur , Tin , Yttrium , Palladium , Zinc , Yen 25 for each .
Antimony metals.- Antimony , Yen 25 ; Lead , Yen 10 ; Arsenic , Yen 10 .
Analysis of coins.- Gold , Yen 25 ; Silver , Yen 25 ; Nickel , Yen 25 ;
Copper , Yen 25 .
Pewter.- Tin , Yen 25 ; Lead , Yen 10 .
3. Vegetable oils.- Peanut and groundnut oils ; Specific graviy ,
refrac ve index , fat value , alkali value , non-alkaline substances ,
acid contents Baudoin toat Von 30
O
- 115 -
Governor's Order No. 20 ( Continued )
Test for free acids , Yen 5 .
Tea oil : Specific gravity , refractive index , fat value ,
alkali value , non -alkaline substances , acid contents , Baudoin
test , Yen 30 .
Tests for free acids , Yen 5 .
Refractive index , Yen 5 . .
Tung Oil : Specific gravity , refractive index , heat test ,
fat value , acid contents , water contents , Yen 30 .
Other vegetable oils , complete tests .
4. Mineral oils.- Specific gravity , Yen 5 ; Test for slime ,
Yen 15 ; Test for sulphur , Yen 10 ; Test for viscosity , Yen 10 ;
Test for water contents , Penski Martin Test , Yen 5 ; Flash point ,
Penski Martin Test , Yen 5 ; Test for carbon residue , Yen 10 .
5. Fuels.- Water contents , carbon contents , waste , carbon
residue , sulphur contents , calories , Yen 25 .
Phosphorous , Yen 10 ; Sulphur , Yen 7; Calories , Yen 15 .
6. Water.- Drinking water : Solid substances , hardness ,
salt contents , free ammonia , dissolved substances , poisonous sub
stances , and Mineral waters , Yen 50 , for complete analysis .
7. Fertilisers.- Total nitrogen contents , organic nitrogenous
substance , non organic nitrogenous substances , arsenic , potassium
acid substances , water contents , Yen 30 .
· 116 -
Enclosure No. 68 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 17 , 1942 .
Notice
As previously announced by the Hongkong Senryoti Sotokubu ,
the under -mentioned Banks will be open to release the Safe
Deposit Boxes and Safekeeping items on the following dates :
The Barks
inLiquidation Date
of Release
The National City Bank of New York. 19th May
The Chase Bank . 19th May
The Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank , N.V. 20th May
The Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij , N.V. 20th May
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LTD . ,
Liquidators .
- 117 -
-
Enclosure No. 69 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 19 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 23
In order to prevent obstructions to traffic , all persons employ
ing or constructing for employment rickshas and sedan chairs must
attend at the following places and on the dates stated in order to
obtain permits . They must pay the fees on receipt of the certificate :
Persons operating on Hong Kong roads should apply to the
Government Drainage Office in Lower Albert Road on June 1 and June
2 , between the hours of 10 a . m . to 2 p . m .
Persons operating on Kowloon roads should apply to the Gov
ernment Drainage Office at 154 Kashima - dori ( formerly Prince
Edward Road ) on June 3 and June 4 , between the hours of 10 a . m .
and 2 p . m .
Fees for rickshas , Yen 20 (military ) ; fees for sedan chairs ,
Yen 5 ( military ) .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa ,, 17th Year , May 18 .
-
118
Enclosure No. 70 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS 1.
May 21 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 24
The following banks are added to the list of enemy banks :
Thomas Cook and Son ;
E. D. Sassoon Banking Co .;
Credit Foncier d'Extreme Orient
2..
The above enemy banks are to be liquidated .
3. The liquidation of these banks is entrusted to the Yokohama
Specie Bank and the Bank of Taiwan .
The Yokohama Specie Bank will be liquidators in respect of Thomas
Cook and Son and E. D. Sassoon Banking Co.
The Bank of Taiwan will be liquidators in respect of the Credit
d'Extreme Orient .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , May 20 .
-119
Enclosure No. 71 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 24 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 25
There is nothing to prevent those possessing damaged houses
from carrying out repairs ; but before undertaking such work they
must first prepare documents of ownership , or copies of such docu
ments , together with plans showing the position of the houses , and
forward these to the Building Section of the Communications ' De
partment of the Governor's Office , reporting the matter . The ap
plicant must await permission , except in the case of minor repairs
for which permission will not be necessary . Forms for reporting
may be obtained at the Building Section .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government.
Showa , 17th Year , May 23 .
120 -
Enclosure No. 72 to report dated June 1 , 1943 1
on the subject of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 24 , 1942 .
Notice
The time for limited payments in accordance with the notice of
14th May issued by us under instruction of the Hong Kong Senryoti
Sotokubu Zaimubu , has been extended in the case of the Hong Kong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation , Hong Kong , and Kowloon Offices
until the 27th May .
THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK LTD .
The Liquidator of
The Hong Kong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation .
Notice
The Safekeeping items of THE AMERICAN EXFRESS CO . will be open
to release on the following dates at the premises of the Chase Bank .
DATE OF RELEASE :
26TH and 27TH MAY .
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LID .
Hong Kong ,
Liquidators .
121 -
Enclosure No. 73 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 26 , 1942 .
Notice
By Order of Hong Kong Senryoti Sotoku , the Yokohama Specie Bank ,
Limited , have been entrusted with the liquidation of the following
banks . All those who have claims against these Banks must register
their claims to the Liquidation Office of the relative Banks during
the period of the 28th May to 6th June , 1942 .
Those who have not registered during the period mentioned above
will be regarded as having their claims forfeited .
Location of Liquidation
Office of the Relative
Name of Banks in Liquidation Banks
Thomas Cook and Son , Limited ) Chartered Bank Building ,
E. D. Sassoon Banking Co. , Ltd ) 4A , Higasishowa - Dori .
The forms for registration of claims can be obtained at the
liquidation Office of the respective Banks .
THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK , LTD .
Hong Kong , 26th May , 1942 .
Notice
By Order of Hong Kong Senryoti Sotoku , the Bank of Taiwan , Limit
ed have been entrusted with the liquidation of the following banks .
All those who have claims against this bank must register their claims
to the liquidation office of the bank during the period of 5th of
June to 6th of June , 1942 .
Those who have not registered during the period mentioned above
will be regarded as having their claims forfeited .
Location of Liquidation
Name of Bank in Liquidation Office of the Bank
Credit Foncier D'Extreme-Orient Chase Bank Office ,
Meiji Dori No. 15 .
The forms for registration of claims can be obtained at the
liquidation office of the bank above mentioned .
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LTD .
Hong Kong , 26th May , 1942 .
122 -
Enclosure No. 74 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 30 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 26
With effect from Showa 17th Year , May 30 , and in accordance
with the Governor's Order No. 21 regarding Hong Kong Folice
Fine Regulations all persons residing in the territory under
the administration of the Governor of the Captured Territory of
1
Hong Kong who violate the said Order are liable to three months '
imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Yen 500 .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , May 30 .
123
Enclosure No. 75 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
May 31 , 1942
Hong Kong Government
( Supplement to Governor's Order No. 21 ) Hong Kong
Regulations for Police Punishments .
Article 1. These regulations are applicable to all persons
living in the areas ruled by the Governor of the Captured Terri
tory of Hong Kong . In the case of Nipponese nationals the regula
tions are applicable to those cases in which there is no other
Nipponese law to be applied .
Article 2 . Persons transgressing any of the following
items will be liable to imprisonment under three months or a
fine not exceeding Yen 500 :
1. Refusal to attend to an official summons without suf
ficient cause .
2. Making a false statement to officials , or refusing
to make a statement which is called for .
3. Failing to carry out the epidemic regulations , other
medical or sanitary regulations , or transgressing any other order
of the officials .
4. Interfering with the transmission , collection or de
livery of postal matter .
5. Falsely reporting nationality , place of origin ,
residence , name , age , social standing or profession in secur
ing board or in obtaining passage on a steamer .
6. Falsely assuming an official rank or title or a
scholastic title , or falsely wearing medals or orders , or
similar matters , with the object of deceiving a third party .
7. Making a false report to an official , or knowingly
helping a third party to make a false report .
8. Interfering with the working or planning of any public
body organized or to be organized for the public benefit , or
interfering with the establishment of such a body .
9. Obstructing any traffic route by blocking it with
carriages , carts , cars , boats , furniture or any other object which
may constitute an obstruction .
10 . Making any unnecessary noise lying down or getting
drunk in any place of free traffic .
11 . Refusing to obey traffic orders .
12 . Erecting open air stalls in forbidden areas .
13 . Going in or out of areas which it is forbidden to enter
or leave .
14 . Doing any act which will obstruct the flow of a stream
or a drain .
-
124 -
Supp . to Governor's Order No. 21 ( Continued )
15. Doing wilful damage to public gardens , roads , bridges or
embankments .
16. Doing wilful damage to the lighting systems of other people ,
or putting out the fixed lights of any public garden , road , temple , or
any other public light .
17 . Failing to chain up a fierce dog or any other fierce animal .
18 . Without good reason , releasing another person's boat , raft ,
cow , horse , or any other animal .
19 . Allowing numbers exceeding the limit to board or to enter
a ship , car , lift , or public meeting place .
20 . Damaging or staining fixtures in any public place .
21 . Opening or closing a street water fountain without suf
ficient reason .
22 . Polluting drinking water , or interfering with its use or
stopping its flow .
23 . Desecreating temples , Buddhist halls or churches , graves ,
monuments , statues and other similar objects .
24. Practising singing , dancing , music or making any other noise
in the late hours of night .
25 . Causing obstructions to the public in a theatre , cinema or
other public place of assembly .
26 . Giving a performance which is harmful to public safety and
good customs .
27 . Circulating false reports and rumours with the object of
deceiving other persons .
28. Makirg inflammatory and unreliable statements and adopting
conduct harmful to the public order .
29. Delivering speeches concerning political affairs or other
affairs causing confusion in political affairs , out of doors .
Using inflammable materials for building purposes without
obtaining permission .
31. Burning fires in the vicinity of a house , other building ,
inflammable goods , or a mountain or field .
32 . Firing crackers without permission .
33 . House owners or residents of damaged houses , who by failing
to repair the dangerous parts , endanger the life of pedestrians .
34. Hiding in an unoccupied house , or unwatched buildings or
ships .
35. Loitering anywhere without a fixed address or employment.
36 . Acting badly or interfering in a place of worship , celebra
tion or procession .
37. Taking fruits and vegetables or cutting trees and flowers
in a public ground or another person's field or garden .
38 . Intending to obtain an unjust profit by inserting a boastful
or false advertisement in a newspaper or magazine .
39 . In conducting a newspaper or magazine , compelling another
person to buy it or forcing another person to insert an advertisement ,
or forcing another person to subscribe to the paper or magazine , or
delivering papers and magazines without subscription , or forcibly re
questing payment for an unsubscribed advertisement .
40 . Holding in possession , or purchasing or selling , or receiving
125
Supp . to Governor's Order No. 21 ( Continued )
41 . Practising hypnotism on a person .
42 . Practising gambling and similar conduct .
43 . Without reason , forcing an interview with another party
and using intimidation in conduct .
44 . Forcibly requesting a donation , and forcibly selling goods
or tickets , or requesting a reward for acts and labours forcibly
done .
45 . Illegally making or using another person's name card , etc.
46 . Wearing strange clothing , or talking and behaving in a
queer manner , and loitering and refusing an official order .
47 . Following a person without a lawful reason and pursuing him .
48. Being a beggar , or compelling another person to act as a beggar .
49 . Acting wrongly towards another person's business , or obstruct
ing it .
Preventing another person tendering , or forcibly requesting
50 .
another to join in tendering , or obtaining a share of business or money
profits from a successful tenderer .
Interfering in another person's money transactions without
51 .
reason , or requiring another person to commence legal proceedings
and causing trouble .
52. Selling poisonous drugs , or selling and handling them with
out perm_ssion .
53 . Failing to keep clean even after an official request .
54 . Collecting filth and dust in one's house so as to endanger
public health .
55 . Making water in a street , park and other publicly visible
place , or compelling another person to do so .
56 . Spitting in a street , park and other public places .
57. Deceiving the public with false statements foretelling
good or evil fortune , or supplying the public with charms , or giving
people charms to carry on their persons .
58. Obstructing medical attention by supplying persons with
charms and religious potions .
59 . Neglecting to take care of mentally disordered persons
and letting such loiter out of doors .
60 . Committing prostitution , or acting as intermediary in com
mitting prostitution .
61 . Being naked or acting in a disgraceful manner in a public
place .
Harbouring in one's own premises some young or old disabled ,
62 .
sick persons in need of some help without reporting them , or having
dead corpses without reporting them to the authorities .
63 . Camouflaging a human dead body , or holding an autopsy , or
burying or cremating without permission .
64 . Burying or cremating outside of a public graveyard or cremat
ing place .
Discarding without reason the carcass of a dead animal , or
65 .
any other filthy matter , or contravening the health regulations .
66 . Adulterating drinkable or edible substances with a view to
making a profit .
67. Displaying or selling unripe or rotten fruit or rotten meat .
or other harmful edible or drinkable substance for a profit .
126 -
Supp . to Governor's Order_No . 21 ( Continued )
68 . Selling or handling birds or animals that have died of
sickness for food .
69 .Refusing as doctors or micwives to attend at the call of
sick persons or pregnant women about to give birth to a child .
70. Removing without reason the boundary posts of properties
or removing boundary stones .
71 . Erecting houses , huts or walls on public land without per
mission .
72. Dirtying or pasting up papers on another's house or dirty
ing another person's posters concerning the sale of a house , or
renting of a house , or any other notice .
73. Unreasonably oppressing or obstructing a servant by the
master .
74. Disobeying any other order issued by the police .
Article 3.- Any person helping another to act contrary to these
regulations will likewise be penalized , but his sentence may be re
duced according to circumstances .
These regulations come into force from the date of publication .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
127 -
Enclosure No. 76 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 3 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 27
With reference to the Governor's Order No. 9 , Item 21 , para
graph 2 , concerning requests for permission to carry on a business ,
)
in which it was stated that necessary documents and plans must be at
tached to the original application , from this date , excepting for
special businesses such as the arrangements of restaurants and barber
shops or other establishments needing careful consideration , these
need not now be attached .
With regard to the details , the applicant may visit the
Gendarmerie station of his district or the District Bureau General
Office for inquiries .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , June 1 .
128
Enclosure No. 77 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 3 , 1942
Public Notification No. 28
With reference to Public Notification No. 21 dated Showa 17th
Year , May 11 , the following changes concerning the handling of mail
for Nipponese nationals residing in the Imperial captured areas of
the Southern Regions have been made , to come into force Showa 17th
Year June 1 :
" Burma" is to be added after the former British colony of
" Borneo " in Article 2 ;
In Article 4 concerning the method of addressing letters , for
"Former British Borneo " the term " Borneo " Field Post Office for
Transmission must be written . Letters may now be sent to Burma by
addressing them " Rangoon " Field Post Office for Transmission .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , May 30 .
129
Enclosure No. 78 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
June 4 , 1942
Hong Kong Government
Public NotificationNo.29 .
The names of the hospitals and clinics controlled by the Office
of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong , with their
locations and special services , are as follows :
Hong Kong Public Hospital in Nishitaisho-dori , formerly
Nethersole Hospital , for medical and surgical cases .
Hong Kong Maternity Hospital in Western Street , formerly Tsan
Yuk Hospital , for maternity cases .
Hong Kong Mental Diseases Hospital , in Eastern Street , former
ly Mental Hospital , for receiving mental cases .
Hong Kong Infectious Diseases Hospital , at Sannc-dai , Hong Kong ,
formerly the Hong Kong Infectious Diseases Hospital , for receiving
all cases of infectious diseases .
Hong Kong Leprosy Hospital , at Sanno-dai , Hong Kong , formerly the
Hong Kong Leper Settlement , for receiving cases of leprosy .
Un Long Clinic , at Un Long , New Territories , formerly the Un
Long Clinic , for medical and surgical cases .
Taipo Clinic , at Taipo , New Territories , formerly the Taipo
Clinic , for receiving medical and surgical cases .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Covernment .
Showa , 17th Year , June 3 .
130
Enclosure No. 79 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 4 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 30
The following places are designated for bathing in the sea in
the Captured Territory of Hong Kong :
1. Hong Kong Island.- From the western end of Midorigahama to
the northern end of Big Wave Bay within the shore lines marked by
special notices by the Governor's Office .
2. Kowloon.- From the 13th Milestone ( the shore at the Hong Kong
Brewery ) on the east to the southwest point of Castle Peake Bay , with
in the shore lines marked by special notices by the Governor's Office .
3. In the city areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon , permission has
been granted for special bathing pools .
From this date , it is forbidden to bathe in the inside waters of
Hong Korg ( that is west of a line joining Lyemun Point and Pakshawa
Point and east of a line joining the southwest point of Ching-I Island
and the southwest point of Green Island ) , or in the waters of
Motohonkon Bay and Motorhonkon Channel .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , June 3 .
131
Enclosure No. 80 to report dated June 1 , 1943
cn the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
HONGKONG NEWS
June 6 , 1942 .
Public Notice
Articles deposited with the Canton branches of the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Bank , Chartered Bank of India , Australia and China and
National City Bank of New York will be returned to their owners under
the following conditions :
Persons who have articles deposited with these banks are re
quested , within the time and at the places stated , to produce re
ceipts for the articles deposited , together with the insurance fees ,
to the offices of the liquidators of the respective banks to apply
for the return of their articles .
In the event of owners of articles being unable to go to the
liquidator's offices in person in the time prescribed , they may
send receipts of deposits by letter to the liquidators ' offices mak
ing application for the return of their articles .
If the owners of articles fail to observe these conditions , they
shall be regarded as having surrendered their privileges as de
positors .
Dates for the release of articles : Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank ,
June 22 and June 23 ; Chartered Bank of India , Australia and China ,
June 24 ; National City Bank of New York , June 25 .
Time : From 10 a . m . to 12 noon ..
Places : At the premises of the respective banks .
Liquidators of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and the Chartered
Bank of India , Australia and China :The Yokohama Specie Bank , Limited ,
Canton branch .
Liquidators of the National City Bank of New York : The Bank of
Taiwan , Limited , Canton branch .
Showa , 17th Year , June 5 .
132
Enclosure No. 81 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
June 6 , 1942 .
Notice
Articles held in Safe Custody by the Hong Kong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation , KOWLOON , except such as belong to enemy Na
tionals , will be released on the following dates :
June 8th , 10 a . m . to Noon & 2 p . m . to 4 p . m .
June 9th , 10 a . m . to Noon & 2 p . m . to 4 p . m .
at the premises of the Kowloon Branch .
The Yokohama Specie Bank , Ltd. ,
The Liquidator of
The Hong Kong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation .
133 -
Enclosure No. 82 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
HONGKONG NEWS
June 6 , 1942
Notice
By Order of Hong Kong Senryoti Sotoku , the Bank of Taiwan ,
Limited , have been entrusted with the liquidation of the following
bank . All those who have claims against this bank must register ir
claims to the liquidation office of the bank during the period of 28th
May to 6th June , 1942 .
Those who have not registered during the period mentioned above
will be regarded as having their claims forfeited .
Name of Bank in Liquidation Location of Liquidation
Office of the Bank
Credit Foncier D'Extreme-Orient Chase Bank Office ,
Meiji Dori No. 15 .
The forms for registration of claims can be obtained at the
liquidation office of the bank above mentioned .
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LTD .
Hong Kong , 26th May , 1942 .
134 -
Enclosure No. 83 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 9 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Governor's Order No. 26
The Office of the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong has enacted the following regulations concerning the censor
ship of cinematograph films for entertainment :
Regulations for censorship of cinematograph films
for entertainment by the Office of the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
ARTICLE 1. - Persons wishing to film or exhibit films in the
areas controlled by the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong
Kong must first submit to censorship by the Office of the Governor .
ARTICLE 2 . Persons applying for censorship of films must write
down the following particulars , attaching a copy of the film or
script and apply to the Information Bureau of the Office of the
Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong for perusal and await
permission from the Governor . The date of censorship will be an
nounced to the applicant by the Chief of the Information Bureau .
After the applicant has been notified he should attend on the date
fixed at the place appointed or send his representative there :
1. Applicant's nationality , address and name .
2. Name of film , number of reels , place of making and date
when made .
3. Name of director and chief actors .
ARTICLE 3 . Films which offend in the following items will
be forbidden or the offending part will be cut .
1. Failing in respect to the Imperial Family .
2. Adverse to the national policy or oppose it .
3. Harmful to confidence in the armed forces or their of
ficers and men .
4. Harmful to military administration or national defence .
5. Harmful to the reputation of Nippon's allies .
6. Helpful to enemy countries , or countries with inimical
tendencies or causing pleasure to an enemy country or
1 aiding in causing pleasure .
7. Disturbing the order or safety of the community , or harm
ful to their customs .
8 Films which for any other reason should not be shown .
- 135
June 6 , 1942
ARTICLE 4. - If after censorship it has been decided that a
film shall not be shown or that it shall be cut , the applicant
may not repeat his application , or if it be shown the film will be
confiscated .
ARTICLE 5 . - The Chief of the Information Bureau will grant a
permit for films that have been investigated and found suitable for
showing
ARTICLE .6. - Films that have been censored , if the necessity
-
arises later , may be forbidden , cut or confiscated .
ARTICLE .
7. - Films to be shown will not be charged for censor
ship .
Films that are being made will be charged a censorship fee for
each reel . ( 1,000 feet ) of one military yen . Films which are for the
public good may be exempted from this charge .
These regulations come into force on Showa , 17th Year , June 5 .
RENSUKE ISOGAI ,
Governor of the Captured Territory
Hong Kong .
Showa , 17th Year , June 5 .
.
136
Enclosure No. 84 to report dated June 1 , 1943.
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 9 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notificaion No. 31
It has been decided to establish a Hong Kong Cinema Co - operative
Association to handle the showing of films in the areas controlled by
the Governor of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government.
Showa 17th Year , June 8 .
137 -
Enclosure No. 85 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June ll , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 32
Regulations for Typhoon Signals .
1. Typhoon signals are divided into three kinds :
(a) Typhoon warnings ;
(b) Typhoon arrival signals ;
(c) Typhoon subsidiary signals .
2. Typhoon warning signals will be of the shape or kind laid down
in the first Schedule for No. 1 Signal .
3. Typhoon arrival signals will be of the shape or kind laid
down in the First Schedule for No. 5 to No. 10 Signals .
4. Typhoon subsidiary signals will be of the shape or kind laid
down in the Second Schedule for No. 1 and No. 2 Signals .
.
5. Typhoon signals are divided into day and night signals , of
the shapes and kinds laid down in the First and Second Schedules .
6. Public notices will be issued at the same time as the warn
ings in these regulations telling vessels to move to safe anchorages .
7. Typhoon signals will be displayed at the following places :
( a ) Harbour Office Flagstaff ; ( b ) Kowloon Railway Sta
tion Flagstaff ; ( c ) Observatory Flagstaff ; ( d ) Kowloon
Godowns Flagstaff ; ( e ) Kowloon Reservoir Hill Flagstaff ;
( f ) Laichikok Flagstaff ; ( g ) Kowloon Meterological Sta
tion Flagstaff ; ( h ) Lyemun Flagstaff .
8. All typhoon signals will be under the care of the Hong Kong
District Bureaus .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , June 10 .
138
Enclosure No.86 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June ll , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 33
When typhoon warnings are issued or broadcast , shipping must
take refuge according to the following instructions :
1. Anchorage for large vessels ( 5,000 tons and over ) :
( a ) Chukchow Island ( Stonecutters ) ;
( b ) Kai Hak Bay . Passage through Lyemun according to
instructions from the Navy .
( c ) Thirteen " A " mooring buoys , Nos . 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ,
13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , and 18 are set aside ( numbers of buoys
allotted according to the Water Department ) , ships to moor
without causing obstruction .
2. Anchorage for medium-sized vessels ( under 5,000 tons and above
1,000 tons) :
( a ) Yaumati Bay ( outside typhoon shelter ) ;
( b ) Buoys at that place ;
( c ) Kowloon Bay ;
( d ) If unable to make these places , they may anchor in
the anchorages for large vessels .
3. Anchorage for small vessels ( under 1,000 tons ) : - These may
take refuge in Yaumati Bay , Causeway Bay or any other approrpiate
anchorage .
4. Vessels anchoring in sheltered anchorages must not obstruct the
fairway or foul another vessel .
5. Anchoring vessels must not move in such a way as to obstruct
boats or military launches taking shelter in the anchorages .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , June 10 .
139
Enclosure No. 87 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 12 , 1942 .
Notice
The following enemy banks whose liquidation has been entrusted to
us by the Hong Kong Senryoti Sotokubu will open to pay the first liqui
dation dividend of all Hong Kong dollar deposit liabilities on the un
dermentioned conditions . Depositors should apply for payment at the
respective liquidation offices .
1. Liquidation payments will start on June 15th , Showa 17th
Year .
2. The ratio of payment will be 20% of balances on deposit .
Special consideration , however , will be given to Chartiable
Institutions , Hospitals , and Schools , etc.
3. If the amount to be paid to any one depositor exceeds
$5,000 , payment will be subject to arrangement.
4. Where clients are indebted to any one of the banks in
liquidation such debts will be considered a prior claim against
any dividend to be received .
5 . A limitation will be placed on all payments to enemy nationals
or to those depositors considered of enemy character .
6. The arrangement whereby individual depositors were permitted
to withdraw $500.- is still in force and all those clients
entitled to this payment are urged to apply for same at an
early date .
7. Bank in Liquidation Place of Payment
Chase Bank . Chase Bank
National City Bank of New York , -do
Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij
N. V ....... -do
Credit Foncier D'Extreme -Orient -do
Underwriters Bank for the Far East ,
Inc. Underwriters Bank for
the Far East , Inc.
American Express Co. Inc ..... -do
Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank -do
THE BANK OF TAIWAN , LTD .
Liquidators .
140 -
Enclosure No. 88 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 12 , 1942 .
Notice
The following enemy banks whose liquidation has been entrusted
to us by the Hong Kong Senryoti Sotokubu will open to pay the first
liqu.dation dividend of all Hong Kong dollar deposit liabilities on
the undermentioned conditions . Depositors should apply for payment at
the respective liquidation offices .
1. Liquidation payments will start on June 15th , Showa i7th Year .
2. The ratio of payment will be 20% of balances on deposit .
Special consideration , however , will be given to Chartiable
Institutions , Hospitals and Schools , etc.
3. If the amount to be paid to any one depositor exceeds $5,000- ,
payment will be subject to arrangement .
4. Where clients are indebted to any one of the banks in liqui
dation , such debts will be considered a prior claim against
any dividend to be received .
5.
A limitation will be placed on all payments to enemy nationals
or to those depositors considered of enemy character .
6. The arrangement whereby individual depositors were permitted
to withdraw $ 500.- is still in force and all those clients
entitled to this payment are urged to apply for same at an
early date .
7. Bank in Liquidation Place of Payment
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Chartered Bank ,
Corporation 3 Nakameiji-dori
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation ( Kowloon Branch ) -do
Chartered Bank of India , Australia
and China Former Chartered Bank ,
4a Higashishowa - Dori
Mercantile Bank of India , Ltd. Former Mercantile Bank ,
7 Nakameiji -dori
Banque Belge pour L'Etranger. Banque Belge pour L'Etranger
4a Higashishowa - dori
Thomas Cook & Sons , Ltd. Former Chartered Bank ,
4a Higashishowa-dori
E. D. Sassoon Banking Co. , Ltd ... Former Chartered Bank ,
4a Higashishowa-dori
THE YOKOHAMA SPECTE BANK LTD
141 -
Enclosure No. 89 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of "Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 12 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 32
Schedule 1. Typhoon Signals
No. 1 Signal Typhoon approaching Hong Kong .
No. 5 Signal Gale expected from northwest .
No. 6 Signal Gale expected from southwest .
No. 7 Signal Gale expected from northeast .
No. 8 Signal Gale expected from southeast .
No. 9 Signal Wind force increasing .
No. 10 Signal Typhoon centre closing but direction uncertain .
Wind force increasing .
Schedule 2. Subsidiary Signals
No. 1 Signal Typhoon approaching .
No. 2 Signal Gale expected or typhoon centre closing , wind force
increasing
Explanation of Signals
1. No. 1 Signal means that a typhoon may come , but it is a warn
ing signal without certainty .
2. Nos . 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 Signals do not indicate the force of the
wind , but the direction from which a gale may be expected . A wind
travelling from 40 to 60 miles per hour is called a gale . If these
signals are hoisted small boats should make for typhoon refuges and
large vessels should prepare their storm anchors . All others should
prepare shelters , and houses should shut their doors and windows .
3. Subsidiary signals are for display on isolated islands or in
fishing coves .
142 -
Enclosure No. 90 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 25 , 1942 .
The Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 36
The Governor's Orders No. 23 and 24 having now passed through
the Medical and Dental Committee of the Office of the Governor of the
Captured Territory of Hong Kong , all those who in future desire to
practise medicine or dentistry in the Captured Territory of Hong Kong
on or after June 25 must send in as soon as possible a request for
permission to do so to the Office of the Governor of the Captured
Territory of Hong Kong . With reference to the method of complying
with the above orders , application may be made to the Health Section
of the Governor's Office or to the Nipponese-Chinese Medical Associa
tion for further information .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa , 17th Year , June 20 .
143
Enclosure No. 91 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 24 , 1942 .
The Hong Kong Government
Public Notification No. 37
An alteration has been made to the method of writing the address
of letters sent to Nipponese nationals residing in the Imperial
Captured Territories of the Southern Regions , as laid down in Section
4 of Public Notification No. 21 of Showa 17th Year , May 11 , for
" Sumatra - Palembang Field Post Office for transmission . "
Letters sent to the southern section of Sumatra must be ad
dressed "Sumatra-Medan Field Post Office for transmission . "
Letters sent to the northern section of Sumatra must be ad
dressed " Sumatra - Medan Field Post Office for transmission . "
These alterations are effective from Showa 17th Year , June 20 .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government
Showa 17th Year , June 20 .
144
Enclosure No. 92 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . '
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 25 , 1942 .
Public Notice
Purchase of Police Dogs
By the Governor's Office of the Occupied Territory of Hong Kong .
1. No matter what kind of breed , dogs will be purchased provided
they can do police work , in good condition and at least six months old .
2. Dates and Places of Purchase : - June 30 ( Tuesday ) at 10 a . m .
at the Military Training Ground behind the Governor's Office , and op
posite the Gendarmerie Headquarters . July 1 ( Wednesday ) at 10 a . m .
on the vacant ground east of the Toa Hotel ,
3 . Prices and the number of Dogs Wanted : - The number of dogs
wanted is about 50 . The prices are from Yen 50 to Yen 200 each , de
pending on the condition of the dog and its capabilities . The average
price is Yen 100 .
4. Sellers must bear in mind the following : ( a ) applications can
be made at the places mentioned above ; ( b ) dogs must have collars and
chains ; ( c if the dogs are fierce they must be muzzled ; ( d ) prices
will be paid on the spot and sellers are therefore advised to bring
their chops with them ; ( e ) other particulars and details may be ob
tained from the Veterinary Department of the Governor's Office ,
Telephone 39524 .
145
Enclosure No. 93 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 26 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Public Notice_No . 14
Concerning the removal of persons inhabitating the areas at
Kai Tak airfield , where the airfield is to be expanded :
Persons living in Area No. 1 ( northwest of the present Kai Tak
airfield ) have to remove by Showa 17th Year , August 10 .
Persons living in Area No. 2 ( composed of three sections on the
west , north and east of the present Kai Tak airfield ) have to remove
by the last day of December , Showa 17th Year .
Those persons who have not removed by the appointed dates will be
forcibly removed .
Persons wishing to construct houses near the above Areas 1 and
2 must first obtain permission to do so from the Office of the Governor
of the Captured Territory of Hong Kong .
Instructions for removal may be obtained from the Kowloon Bureau
or the Association for the Removal of People of the Kai Tak Airfield
Expansion Works .
By Order of the
Hong Kong Government .
Showa 17th Year , June 25 .
146 -
Enclosure No. 94 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation ."
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 27 , 1942 .
Hong Kong Government
Instructions Issued to Restaurants
Restaurants and eating houses have been issued with a list of
instructions by the Health Authorities regarding precautionary measures
against cholera . The list contains 14 rules , which are as follows :
( 1 ) Everything must be boiled ; ( 2 ) raw vegetables and fruits
must be sterilized ; ( 3 ) overnight foodstuffs must be used carefully ;
( 4 ) ice must not be put in food ; ( 5 ) iced foodstuffs must be care
fully preserved ; ( 6 ) all utensils must be disinfected before being
used ; ( 7 ) a portion of the foods sold must be reserved for examina
tion by officials of the Health Department ; ( 8 ) cloth used for wip
ing the utensils must be made of cotton and regularly disinfected ;
( 9 ) utensils must only be used for the purpose for which they are
intended ; ( 10 ) there must be a special contraption to catch flies ;
( 11 ) the kitchen should be sprayed with Jeyes fluid ; ( 12 ) the staff
of the kitchen must wash their hands with disinfectant ; ( 13 ) they
must undergo a physical examination twice a month ; and ( 14 ) the cloth
ing of the staff must be kept clean .
147
Enclosure No. 95 to report dated June 1 , 1943
on the subject of " Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation . "
THE HONGKONG NEWS
June 28 , 1942 .
Advice Issued to All Workers of the Public Works Dept.
With a view to enable Chinese and third nationals working under
him to understand fully the true policy of the Government , Mr. T.
Tojima , Chief of the Land Communications Department and Acting
Chief of the Public Works Department , issued the following state
ment yesterday :
" Since the occupation of Hong Kong by the Nipponese troops you
have given your co-operation in restoring various activities here .
To such services given , I wish to express herewith my appreciation .
" At present , the construction of a new Hong Kong has made good
progress . But both in the expansion of the Kai Tak Aerodrome and
the resumption of the entire Canton -Kowloon Railway Service , further
efforts are required of those of you with technical knowledge .
" The Nipponese troops have made swift progress in their attacks
on Britain and America , and very soon the same quick offensive will
be launched against India , Australia and Canada . Such a state of
affairs , I believe , has been perfectly realized by all of you .
Some Points
" However , in the construction of the various enterprises in Hong
Kong , the same high speed is required in order to bring about their
early accomplishment . In your work in future the following points
are worth remembering :
" 1.You must not forget that Hong Kong has been changed into
Nipponese territory since Nippon's war with Britain . Frequently .
there are people who make unreasonable demands because they have for
gotten the above reality .
" 2. You have been saved from molestation by desperate characters
and have been given the chance to continue your peaceful occupation
here because of the peace preservation efforts taken by the Nipponese
troops . The latter have never relaxed their vigilance in this re
spect , whether at night or during rains or storms , and whether on the
border , on Nioigamine or at sea . You people may meet with some in
convenience when you are being searched in streets , but in carrying
out these duties the troops are only out to protect your livelihood
here . Therefore , on occasions like this when you are being searched
you should be polite towards the troops .
· 148 -
" 3.Assuming that the Nipponese troops had first attacked the
Philippines , Malaya and the Dutch East Indies and had delayed their
offensive against Hong Kong , the British and American enterprises
here would have been deadlocked and all imports to Hong Kong would
have been stopped . If that had been the case , the Chinese in Hong Kong
would have suffered considerable hardships . If you should think over
this well , it will be realized inmediately that the treatment you are
now getting here cannot be said to be unequal .
" 4. All employees must understand that they will be punished if
they misbehave them.selves and do such things as accepting bribes or
other similar misconduct .
" 5 . In the execution of their work , even employees of the lowest
rank are permitted to make authentic reports to their superior of
ficials , but they are warned not to make use of this to further their
own ends .
Enthusiasm
" 6. Employees of the higher ranks must not allow any personal
feeling and consideration to interfere with their selection of new em
ployees or with the treatment of their staff .
" 7. Employees must carry out their duties faithfully and with
confidence and what they can do today must not be left for tomorrow .
In other words , they must carry out their work with enthusiasm in
order not to disappoint the expectations of the authorities .
" Regarding your present positions and treatment , I will give full
consideration towards their improvement . Now that you have participated
with Nippon in the construction of East Asia , you should be very proud
of yourselves . Your accomplishment in this respect will be admired
also by future generations . Because of this , you should continue your
present work with courage . "
RETURN TO DESK FROM
WHICH BORROWED
U CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT
This book is due on the last date stamped below , or
on the date to which renewed .
T books are subject to immediate recall.
REG. CILJUN 1778
31AH
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2018
D
BPM
14May'5
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IAN 22 2
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A N EPT
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