SECRET
not do so.
We thought it politic to wait until
we had some idea of the size and composition of
the total bill likely to be presented by the
Ministry of Defence before we decided upon any
particular course of action. We shall not approach
the Treasury until we receive your reply to this
letter. I am afraid that we are not over sanguine
about our chances of success. You referred in your
defence letter to Hong Kong's substantial increased continu-
ing contribution but the likely Treasury reaction to
this argument is reflected in paragraph 2 of the
enclosed letter of 17 October from the Ministry of
Defence. However, we shall certainly do our best,
and meanwhile perhaps you would consider what
ammunition you can let us have to use
behalf when the time comes.
your
SECRET
CARTER.) (W.S. CALISA)