Draft
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FROM
OUTWARD
→İMANNƏ TELEGRAM.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
Gypher (0.7.P.)
IMPORTANT
No. 1259 TOP SECRET
Lee (7)
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
Sent 6th December, 1948. 23.00 hrs.
My telegram 1242,'
The question has been raised whether with object of preventing serious influx of refugees and communist infiltration the land frontier of Hong Kon could be closed at short notice at an early date.
2 ..
It has been suggested that it might bo possible to enlist special Hong Kong frontier guard and/ or to raise gendarmerie under control of Commissioner of Police for this Jurpose.
3. I note that in your view there is no need at present for alarm, but that if any large influx of refugees occur, you would then endeavour with ascistance of military to close frontier (your tele,,ram 1068 paragraph 3 and 4 refer)
4.
But I a.. anxious to know:
(1) vhat numerical force would be hocebaery“
(11)
to what numerical extent military assistance would be required?
(113) whether special forces could be raised
locally as suggested above and if 20
(17)
what effect this would be likely to have on recititmont for Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force? (ny telegrar No.1242 paragraph 3 refers).
whether any reliable Hon; Kong, Police
are available for this work: (paragnoph 4 of your despatch No. 41 refcro).
(v) whether necessary sup Lies of barzed wize
eta., are readily availablet
(vi) what probable political effect world be
(1) in Hong Kong and
(2) in China ?
1 should be gratoful also for your assosunenb of desirability or otherwise of adopting auch a step, in the general interest of security and the well being of the exitium population of Hong Kong, poloze an uetup)
す
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