(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
SECRET
F.E.(0)(49) 27
COPY
NO.
59
11TH MAY, 1949
CABINET
FAR EASTERN (OFFICIAL) COMMITTEE
HONG KONG
Note by the Joint Secretaries
At the request of the Colonial Office we circulate the attached despatches from the Governor of Hong Kong for consideration with the Draft Memorandum on Hong Kong (F.E.(0)(49) 25) already circulated.
Cabinet Office, S.W.1.
11TH MAY, 1949.
ANNEX I
(Signed) M.M. DU MERTON
H.V. HOSKINS
61
· at (81). on 94001/28/+9
COPY OF HONG KONG DESPATCH NO.15 OF 3RD MAY, 1949
Sir,
I have the honour to address you on the general question of defence preparations in Hong Kong. The recent crossing in strength of the River Yangtse by the regular forces of the Chinese Communist party lends point to matters which I had already decided should be brought to your attention without delay.
2.
I should first report that local defence planning in Hong Kong has for the last two months been in particular concerned with the voluntary civilian effort which could in an emergency be harnessed in aid of the Services and the civil Government with particular reference to internal security.
3. I had for some time been aware that over the whole field of security and defence we were planning to use voluntary civilian man-power for tasks so varied and so great that we were within reasonable danger of failure to carry out any of them effectively. Plans were in train for the use of volunteer civilian man-power in the following divers roles: the reinforcement of the regular police force with police reservists and special constabulary,
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