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SECRET CIPHER
TELEGRAM.
inter
SECRET.
From: G.O.C. Hong Kong.
To
:
The War Office.
IMMEDIATE
5524 cipher 14/9.
FIRST OF TWO PARTS.
160
Desp.1611 14/9/39. Recd.1530 14/9/39.
F 10262
19 SEP 1980
During the last few weeks work has been proceeding
rapidly on the defences particularly on island and in training
of volunteers. The strength of defence of island is now in
Japanese.
my opinion such as to be definitely deterrent to attack by
Provided sufficient warning available to permit
evacuation of bulk of European women and children and provided
garrison is composed as at present of reliable and trained
troops there are reasonably good prospects of defence holding
out for a limited period.
It seems to me advantage might be taken of
international discussions now proceeding on the withdrawal of
belligerent forces fro China to improve situation at Hong Kong
and at the same time release regular troops for service
elsewhere. Tokyo telegram No.1138 of eth to Foreign Office
indicates Japanese willingness to give assurances that they do
not wish to take advantage of our temporary difficulties in
Europe.
LAST PART.
If really reliable undertaking could be obtained from
Japan not to attack Hong Kong for period of years or during
war with Germany the majority regular troops in existing
garrison might be replaced by less well trained troops in
numbers adequate for internal security and guarding frontiers
against Chinese irregulars. Undertaking suggested might be
specific or included in wider pact.
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