According to Chinese newspapers which have found their way into camp the war is over and the Japs have accepted our terms. Glory be if true.
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Rumours rife of peace
Issue of toilet roll
Radio not so busy last night. To town. Heavy rain. No soldiers about. But in evening plenty in full kit moving somewhere. Nothing cheap yet. Japs buying up rice to pay staff. To office, wait hours to see Jap. Paper ((Hong Kong News)) closing tomorrow, but say continuing paper from our place. Hopes carry on after transfer. Coldly spurns my suggestion give me desk in office. Trying to write first leader.
((Following text undated:))
Showery.
Rained so didn’t go to work till 10am. With G instead.
Final clear up of Hosp. chatties.
1 Roll Toilet paper issued free. 28 workers cigs.
Camp very excited - many couldn’t eat – re peace rumours. A crowd of delegates US. Brit. etc is supposed to be in Tokyo discussing terms. There seems to be something in it this time. Brit. & US Fleet left Manila & units thereof will arrive HK Sun am.
All slept badly last night.
No roll call of any description.
Carmen Hailstone (a friendly neighbour) gave us a tin of sugar. Mrs. Lambert, for what reason we know not, came and gave us a tin of York Sausage Roll which we forthwith ate. Margery Fortescue gave us some onions. Our neighbours the Hamiltons also gave us some food ((diary indecipherable here)).
Franklin Gimson issues a statement saying that Stanley's Commandant, Kadowaki, has told the guards to lay down their arms and to treat internees with the utmost civility. Gimson adds that he's taken over responsibility for camp discipline, and that the British police will henceforth resume some of their functions. Most of the guards leave for town.
There's a Thanksgiving Service and St. Stephen's Hall is filled to overflowing.
Thank God the War is over. Mr Gimson has just issued official statement that the Japs have accepted the terms as laid down by the Potsdam Conference. He is now in command of the camp. We now hope for an early release when the army and navy arrive. It wont be long now Nell.
Noon - "Hostilities ceased" bulletin read
Police resume duties as guards
No am roll-call.
Thanksgiving service S.S. / Sandbach / Martin / Short
Sleepless night. Brain active writing leader. To town. Aeroplane causes rush. Pamphlets. Merely repeats surrender stuff. No interference with people reading. That night no mention Hongkong on radio. Gendarmerie has decided form special squads to keep order. Also large number gendarmes to guard rice and other shops selling daily necessities.
What excitement in camp! They say peace, or at any rate a truce has really been signed with Japan! I have grown so chary about accepting any such news that I really do not believe it. I think that peace is round the corner, but I feel it will be a few weeks yet before it comes into sight.
Fine. E wind.
No roll-call. all Camp control by Japs eased. 8 Formosans left by sampan early am.
Delegate expected today from Macases [?Macassar?]
Kadawaki issued official statement this forenoon re Rescript.
Inundated with food now, what with reserve rations & what people cannot eat. ¼ lb Mutton, bran, rice & biscuits issued.
Feel awful, so am in hospital; had some real powdered milk.
Eddie Greenwood and Mr. A. Brailsford drove into camp on fire engine! ((Presumably the only transport they could get, Eddie's prewar job was with the Fire Brigade; he and Brailsford were among the technicians removed from camp some days ago.)) They told us they had to do (physical) work, but otherwise 'did more or less what they liked.' They saw our flags up over Shamshuipo Camp.
Paul Reveley - a world class radio engineer - has left Ma Tau-wai Camp to inspect the wireless station at Hung Hom. He tells Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke that he is able to arrange for messages to be transmitted beyond Hong Kong. The former Director of Medical Services begins a campaign to persuade Franklin Gimson to re-assert British authority over Hong Kong.
To town every day now. Everything haywire. Rumour Chinese troops in Kowloon. For some days Chinese flags furtively shown. To-day rash of them and cracker firing.
Gimson issued an official statement at midday today. He stated that Lt Kadawakie had informed him that he had heard a wireless broadcast which stated that the Emperor had issued a rescript accepting the terms laid down by the allies at Potsdam. This meant that hostilities generally had ceased though as yet Col Takanada had received no official instructions and he had issued no orders regarding internees.
Cloudy, light NE wind.
Camp all excitement & expectancy.
Some Fire Brigade people called with fire engine & Blumenthal on motor cycle & 3 officers from Argyll St. Camp.
Oil & salt issued.
US planes over 4.45pm dropping leaflets.
Lights allowed 7-10pm & hot-plates 7am-7pm. ∴
2 Radios arrived
Still in hospital.
No fleet!
Bulletin says that 100 visitors from town (i.e. Chinese and non-interned) can come in daily, 50 per bus; and that in due course internees wishing to visit town may do so, though advised not to (and only with permission of CSO).
Two radios have been put at disposal of the camp.
No news of our release.
Prisoners (internees) from gaol will be returned to camp.
Dr I. Newton thinks the Fleet won't be here until Monday.