CONFIDENTIAL
Defence
7. We are at present maintaining a garrison
of seven and two-thirds major units, i.e. about
8-9,000 men, including three battalions of
Gurkhas. This is considered adequate for
internal security purposes. If the Chinese did
decide to launch an attack, the Colony would not
be defensible, but as we do not estimate that
this is the Chinese intention it is not a matter
which we would wish to discuss with the Japanese.
Evacuation of British and foreign nationals
would be an extremely difficult matter. It has
been decided that no planning should be done but
that, if necessary, a 'brash operation" be mounted
at 48 hours notice to evacuate particularly
sensitive personnel. No reference to evacuation
should be made to the Japanese.
CONFIDENTIAL