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11.
India.
The attitude of India is crucial in this matter. If we could be assured of India's moral support maenir Page 90 of 366 Pandit Nehru, the effect age 99 of 300rt ant.
On the other hand, refusal on his part to endorse our policy, with, or indeed without, any overt statement
any overt statement, would be highly dangerous. in relation to Hong Kong and the situation in South East Zola generally. It may be difficult to obtain any public declaration of support from Pandit Nehru in view of his per- sistent attacks on "Colonialism", of his frequently repeated announcements of neutrality and of his refusal to join up with either an Eastern or a Western bloc, but we should clearly make every effort. Sir Archibald Nye has been asked to come to London for consultation as to the best way of making an approach to the Government of India and it is hoped that he will be ablo to handle the matter personally with Pandit Nehru on his return.
12.
Pakistan and Ceylon. Similar considerations to those affecting India apply also to Pakistan and Ceylon and the action to be taken in relation to them would follow on that taken in the case of India.
9
13.
United States. It is not possible to estimate accurately what United States reactions will be to a request for moral support of a policy of defending Hong Kong against aggression. In the past American opinion, swayed to a large extent by sentiment and by the large missionary element in American contacts with China, tended to be sympathetic to the view that Hong Kong should be returned to China. The growing menaco of Soviet Russia and the Communist advance in China have. it is believed, modified American opinion, and the United States Government may be prepared to afford moral support to a short- term policy of resisting aggression against Hong Kong as part of the general resistance to the advance of Communism which they favour. A message should be sent to the United States stressing this aspect of the situation as well as the fact that our decision is in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. It is doubtful whether the United States would be prepared to furnish material support for Hong Kong, but the message might include a request to the United States to consider whether they would be willing to fill the gaps which will be created in Germany (and possibly also in Japan) by a decision to send to Hong Kong some Commonwealth elements from the forces of cccupation in those countries.
Summary of Recommendations.
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follows:-
(a)
(b)
My recommendations to the Cabinet may be summarised as
We should now decide to defend Hong Kong against armed
attack by Chinese Communist forces.
This decision should be presented as resistance to aggression in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
(c) We should seek moral support for this policy from all the other Commonwealth countries and from the United States.
(a) We should also ask, at the appropriate moment, for
material assistance from Australia and Dew Zealand on the lines, recommended by the Minister of Defence in
C
(e) We should ask the United States Government to consider
whether they would be willing to fill the gape created in Germany (end possibly Japan) by the withdrawal of Commonwealth troops for the defence of Hong Kong.