neral C. S. Sugden, C.B. E.
00172
Room 225,
The War Office,
Whitehall.
/Z March, 1946.
14
nuerstand that Sir Eric Speed
send you a copy of the note by the the military implications of the
f Military Government in Hong Kong. opy of this note, which will be
the Chiers or staff at their meeting ing.
Jous sienas.
Abugden.
.ter, G.C.M.G.,X.C.B. ‚D.S.0.,
Office.
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
~
=lease note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' Terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh
resinctions
Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
00173
cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives
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NOTE BY THE WAR OFFICE
TOP SECRET
MILITARY IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONTINUANCE
OF MILITARY GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG
12-
AFTER 1 APRIL, 1946
(Ref COS(46) 34th Mtg Item 17 and OOS(46) 38th Mtg Item 14.)
1.
"Military implications" in their narrow sense
The direct military implications of a continuance of Military Administration in HONG KONG after 1st April 1946
are negligible, except that the expenses of the Administration would fall to be covered by the War Office
instead of the Colonial budget. This will be embarrassing financially, as no provision has been made in
Army Estimates for a charge beyond 31st March. The
assistance to be rendered by the Service Authorities in the immediate future will not materially alter whether there is
a Civil Administration or a continuance of Military
Administration of the civil population.
2.
Military implications in their wider aspect
In their wider aspect a continuance of Military Administration in HONG KONG would mean that the military
would take the onus for the retention of martial law in
HONG KONG for the time being. The only justification for Military Administration, which is indistinguishable from martial law is military necessity, i.e.
(a) if the position as regards law and order is so
precarious that the Civil Government cannot
function, or
(b) if the military requirements upon local facilities,
such as transportation, are such that they must have overriding authority of co-ordination.
/It is for..........