(e) Civil authorities must consider taking all possible
steps to counter and control refugee problem, including
erecting of wire, making arrangements for food rationing and
registration, establishing refugee organisation and expanding
the existing Hong Kong Folice Force and Defence Force. Raising
of a separate auxiliary Police Force is considered im-
practicable.
(i) C.0.S. appreciate that there may be some
political difficulty in erecting wire along land frontier
Stout
In their
*but regard such an arrangement as a necessity if expected
influx of refugees is to be countered and controlled.
view, proper control of frontier will involve fewer difficulties
than maintenance of internal order in the Colony if flood of
refugees is allowed to enter. (Attention of 0.0.S. was also
drawn to question of using fire to prevent illegal entry
of refugees, but in their conclusions they have expressed no
opinion. I assume you will be giving consideration to the
important political problems involved in a decision to open
fire to prevent entry of refugees by unauthorised routes, and that this will be considered at B.D.C.C. meeting.)
(ii) C.0.S. understand that one of main difficulties
in increasing size of existing Police Force would be provision
of European officers, and thought it probable that, as numbers.
required will not be large, suitable ex-servicemen who could
be easily and quickly trained may be available. They suggested
that Colonial Office might contact Service Departments to obtain
a list of suitable ex-servicemen; I am examining this suggestion.
(iii) As regards C.O.S. view on arrangements for food
rationing and registration, the considerable administrative
difficulties were brought to their notice: I should be grateful
for your further views on their recommendations.
(f) Civil and Military resources in Hong Kong would be
inadequate to deal both with attacks by guerilla forces, and
refugee problem, without reinforcement by a Brigade Group,
which could only be found at expense of forces now in Malaya.
(g) Colonial Office suggestion to raise battalions of
/the
Page 260Page 261