893.00/14614: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Southard) to the Secretary of State
Hong
Kong, December 24, 1940—5
p.m.
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
500. Reference my 497, December 23, 11 a.m. [noon?]. Reliable agent in Hong Kong of the Chinese states that he has been confidentially informed that the Communist forces have now agreed to [move to?] new garrison areas but have asked for more time in which to effect move. He believes that actual clash is avoidable but considers civil war certain on conclusion of present hostilities.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.
Southard