INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
273
AMENDED COPY (corrections ≈ underlined in paras. 3(b), 6 and 7)
Cypher (0.7. P.)
COP
FROM HONG KONG (812 A. Granthem)
RATION
IMPORTANT
H. 20th
D. 20th October, 4948.
3.
R
17.15 bzsc
X
OCT A I
o. 956 Secret,
Addressed to 3, of 9. Repeated
#1:
Is
to office of Commissioner-General,
Fo. Cla
"Ambassador, Wanking, No. 13.
Your savingram No, 200.
Kowloon City.
(282)
54145 1/2
10
Contento of your savingram under reference have been carefully considered in discussions between myself and my service and civilian Adrinev6, Following represents our considered views,
2
In this connection considoration must be given to the to entirely different connotation given nowadays word "Defence" compared with the end of last century. this age of total war and fifth columns defence corera a wultitude of schivities, S. the 2ield of communications and paychological.warfare to name only two. For reasona given in paragraph 3 of this telegrem Kowloon Walled City is focel point of certain areas of great military importance to those charged with responsibility of organising defence system of the Colony.. I. preparing the Colony to set threat to the security, internally or externally, responsible authorities camot readily accept a situation wherein this focal point is held outside their jurtadiobione In these circumstances it would be seriously in question whether they could in fact adequately discharge their duties in regard to organising and planning of proper defence measuVGB. X
3.
Reasons for our conclusion that align control of Kowloon City would be militarily intolerable are as follows:-
(a) Six major as vice installations lie within 3,000 yerde of Kowloon City. These include Kai Tak Airfield, the . mein Supply depot for military forces, important deck and
It would be matter of signal installations and barracks. exceeding "military inconvenience" to have focal polat for collection of information and harbouring so near to them (?those intended) of persons over whom we had no control,
(b) Kowloon City Law thia 500 yards of both. Airfield runways at Kal Tak and sirèreftalighting fly at reduced speed between 300 and 500 feet above the City thus not only
ruways themselves but also alighting aircraft como within small eens range of the City. It is true that future of Zai Tək is currently (funder omitten) áiscussion
/10