CONFIDENTIAL
Singapore telegram No. 190 Saving to Foreign Office,
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support of other left-wing groups, are underground, and the general security situation is well in hand. long term, however, conservative elements among Malay
In the nationalists, who favour a gradual advance to Dominion status, might well be forced to adopt a more vigorous policy for fear of losing supporters to the advocates of immediate independence. The same would apply generally in Singapore, although among the Chinese population who predominate there, Dutch military action would not arouse much emotion unless they were hurt by reduction in trade between Singapore and Indonesia, which might result. Whereas in the Federation there is little likelihood of direct action of any sort on the part of local Indone sians, Singapore would face the prospect of anti-Dutoh sabotage, especially on shipping, and renewed labour trouble in the port, from which the Tócal Communists would extract all possible advantage.
5. The main conclusions which emerge are thus:-
(a) Dutch military action would play into the hands of the Communists and extremists everywhere in South East sia (and indeed into the hands of the Soviets in terms of world politics;)
(b) British attempts to bring national and political liberty and a higher standard of living to the peoples of South East Asia would suffer a setback.
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