(8651) Wt. 15174/D85 30m 5/48 C. & Co. 745(8)
TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM
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37
FROM : G. H. Q. FAR EAST LAND FORCES
IZ 609 TOO 031700GH (030930Z) TOR 041010Z
TO
:
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, LONDON
INFO :
LAND FORCES HONG KONG
C-IN-C FAR EAST STATION (AFLOAT)
SEACOS 882
From FEDSEC.
3rd. March, 1949.
For Chiefs of Staff from British Coordination Committee Far East.
Info Land Forces Hong Kong for Secretary Local
Defence Committee.
SEACOS 881.
(28)
4/24
Add new paragraph 2(C).
The dilemma which exists concerning the
defence of Hong Kong.
On the one hand there is the constant and grave concern that civil unrest beyond the police resources of the Colony might well result from insist- ence upon defensive measures which have political or social repercussions: On the other hand there is the ultimate military danger of external aggression from Communist China combined with civil unrest if early preparations (even though they might have political repercussions) are not made. This dilemma is of course not new and the Local Defence Committee has constantly to review the whole matter in order to strike the best balance.
CIRCULATION
D.C.U.R.
Foreign Office
War Registry, Admiralty
Message Control, War Office
Registry Telegrams, Air Ministry
Chief of Combined Uperations Staff Secretary of State for Colonies Colonel Leisching
TOO 031700GH