to start the Government would attempt to close the land frontier "with military assistance".
In a letter from the Ministry of Defence, which was received after the annexed note was prepared, however, the Chiefs of Staff have pointed out that (apart from the Gurkha battalion which is being sent to Hong Kong from Malaya in December) there are no additional land forces available to be sent to Hong Kong from outside the Eastern theatre. The only place from which such reinforcements could be sent would be Malaya and the Chiefs of Staff have pointed out that only the Commanders-in- Chief Far East can balance the two problems and judge the right moment to reinforce Hong Kong if it should be necessary.
In the meantime they have pointed out that while the garrison would give all possible assistance to the civil power in emergency, it would be dangerous to reduce the garrison by using it for administrative tasks connected with the refugee problem at a time when its main efforts should be devoted to fulfilling its primary task. *,
It is against this background that the whole problem is being considered by the Government of Hong Kong and the Commanders-in-Chief ar sast. Various steps have already been taken from this end to assist Hong Kong to place itself in a position of preparedness and other action is under urgent consideration. But it is quite clear that no useful purpose would be served by our attempting from this end to suggest any particular measure (such as the closure of the frontier) at the present juncture.
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30xi 18.