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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S governm
TO BE Kept undER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
SECRET.
0.S.(40) 238.
COPY NO.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
HONG KONG
PERIOD BEFORE RELIEF.
(Previous Paper No. C.0.S. (40)193).
Memorandum by the Chief of the Imperial
General Staff.
102
A reply has been received from the General Officer Commanding, China, to the cable sent in accordance with the Conclusion of Minute 3 of C.0.S. (40) 7th Meeting held on 12th January, 1940. Copies of the two cables are at Annex A and B.
In reply to an enquiry from the General Officer Commanding, China, instructions were sent later that the problem should be considered now from the short term point of view of what could be done immediately, and consideration of the ultimate organisation for a long term policy should be deferred. His reply is accordingly on that basis.
A summary of the questions and replies is as follows:-
Question
(1) Is 180 days storage
practicable on the island?
(2) If not, what increase can
be held?
(1) Possible to store 180 days
&
food under siege conditions for garrison, but only feasible to hold 130 days,
(2) in view of storage
difficulties for civil population, tropical climate, and possibility of damage to reserves by enemy action,
(3) How long
(a) to prepare plans
and estimates?
(b) construct necessary
buildings?
(4) What delay will be caused
to 90 day scheme if longer period is adopted?
(3)
(a) Three weeks.
Rough
estimate £20,000,
exclusive of land.
(b) Five months from date
of authority.
(4) No delay.
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