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Pl. issue letter at
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-Тор Сору
(63)
1
CYPHER CAT.A.
ROUTINE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO 1705
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18 NOVEMBER
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ANG 11.67.
TOP SECRÉT
YOUR TELEGRAM 2324 : HONG KONG GARRISON.
IT WOULD BE TRUER TO SAY THAT I ACCEPT THE VIEWS OF THE C-IN-C
FAR EAST AND CBF HONG KONG THAT, IN THE SITUATION WHICH IS
DEVELOPING HERE, THE PRESENCE OF LARGE NUMBERS OF SERVICE FAMILIES
COULD DETRACT SERIOUSLY FROM OUR ABILITY TO CONTAIN COMMUNIST
OPERATIONS SINCE:
CAD WITH ONLY A SLIGHT. DETERIORATION OF THE SITUATION, OR
DIFFERENCE IN LINE OF COMMUNIST ATTACK, THESE FAMILIES WOULD
BE AN UNDESIRABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRACTION AND WOULD CALL FOR
AN EVEN MORE UNDESIRABLE DISSIPATION OF RESCURCES FOR THEIR
PROTECTION.
(B) A LARGE SCALE WITHDRAWAL OF FAMILIES IN THE FACE OF A
DETERIORATING SITUATION CANNOT BE CONTEMPLATED, BECAUSE OF THE
UNACCEPTABLE EFFECT WHICH THIS WOULD HAVE ON CONFIDENCE AND
MORALE THROUGHOUT THE COLONY.
2. IN ADDITION, I UNDERSTAND THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY BE NECESSARY
TO REPLACE THE GURKHA BATTALIONS WITH BRITISH, AND THE ESSENTIAL
FACILITIES TO ENAELE THEM TO BE ACCOMPANIED COULD NOT BE MADE
AVAILABLE HERE ANYWAY. IF UNACCOMPANIED TOURS FOR A CONSIDERASLE