9. Registration of persons, which would be of great assistance regarding both frontiers, is being examined but difficulties are considerable.

10. As regards food, water, health, law and order, saturation point in Hong Kong will be reached when population increases another 100,000; in desperate circumstances we could perhaps maintain for a few months, by use of rigid rationing and ruthless action, total increase of 250,000. But beyond that absolute limit exists only possibility of disaster. There is no evidence at present of the begining of serious influx.

11. I am repeating this by savingram to Nanking, Canton and Commissioner-General, South East Asia, together with your telegram No. 1259.

(4)

(Corrections being obtained).

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