14882/48
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COLONIAL
CIRCULAR DESPATCH
OFFI
Ansdat (3)
THE CHURCH HOUSE
GREAT SMITH STREET LONDON, S.W.I
SECRET
Sir,
5th August, 1948.
COLONIAL POLICE FORCES.
You will be aware that in the Federation of Malaya and in
Singapore the Governments are at present engaged in the defeat of a
determined attempt by organised dissident elements, through a
campaign of terrorism and murder, to overthrow established order.
In the Gold Coast also public security was seriously threatened
earlier this year, and, although the inspiration and motives of the
disorders in that territory differed from those in Malaya, there
were rioting and destruction of property on a appreciable scale.
2. It is in my view essential that every possible means should
be taken to prevent similar happenings in other Colonial
territories, and there is much evidence that the sources which have
inspired the outbreak in Malaya (ard had some indirect responsibility
for those in the Cold Coast) are on the look-cut for similar
opportunities elsewhere.
Covernors to take into review the present state of efficiency, in
numbers, organisation, and equipment, of their Security forces, and
to report as soon as possible, indicating any respects in which those
forces are not considered to be fully adequate or efficient at
present.
I therefore consider it necessary to ask
I am
3. Such a review should of course take into account the
existence or otherwise of intelligence and special branches.
aware that in several Colonies progress has recently been made in
THE-OFFICER ADMINISTERING
THE GOVERNMENT OF
..strengthening/