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proportion of the cost. The Treasury would support leaving some garrison in Hong Kong, provided that it vas all paid for by the Hong Kong Government. But I am sure it would be a mistake to approach the question from this angle. The Governor believes he could get the Hong Kong Government to pay for a greater proportion of the cost of any garrison that had been shown to be militarily necessary, but would encounter stubborn resistance if they were simply told they could have what they paid for. This might also result in a garrison smaller than would be sufficient to discharge the responsibilities which remain on IMG. A too small Carrison would produce instability both internally and vis-à-vis the Chinese Government. They know that the garrison is no threat to them, but they regard our willingness to maintain internal stability in Hong Kong as a touchstone of our readiness to stay there.
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