Mr. Paskin.
Sir Charles Jeffries
Semet 137
At the Directors' meeting this morning of the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Director of Naval
Intelligence raised the question whether the publicity which had been given to the details of reinforcements proceeding to Hong Kong was wise. He suggested that the appearance of continued statements might well build up a position where the Chinese, from considerations of "face", would be compelled to take some offensive action against Hong Kong, even if they would not otherwise have intended to do so. He suggested that the J. I. C. should make a recommendation that there should be no further publicity of this kind other than an announcement of the appointment of General Festing, and that any further despatch of reinforcements should not be attended by publicity.
The Chairman (Mr. Hayter, F.0.), was rather disposed to think that a
recommendation of this kind would be out- side the J.I.C.'s direct terms of reference. The other members were disposed to agree, although equally disposed to deprecate excessive
publicity in this matter. The Committee
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future meeting, but I thought that you should be aware of the views which have been expressed and which, as far as I can see, have some substance.
(Ser
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17. 6. 49.
on shut annexed)