1
940-12
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Any telegraphic retransmission of a telegram marked Publex must be in a One Time System.
Outward Telegram from Commonwealth Relations Office
DEFENCE & CIVIL AVIATION DEPT.
D. I
(GOVT.)
D. 3246/1
CYPHER (TYPEX)
TO:
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
"
SOUTH AFRICA
11
INDIA
11
PAKISTAN
CEYLON
tf
J
(Sent 23.14 hours 30th Apr.,
H.No.207 TOP SECRET
REINFORCEMENT OF HONG KONG
1949)
We have been giving urgent consideration to question of
reinforcing Hong Kong garrison in view of changing situation in
Important considerations in our view are:-
China.
(a) On present evidence it seems unlikely that
Communist army would make direct attack on Hong
Kong;
(b) Most likely threat to security of Hong Kong would
(i)
arise from:
internal unrest, if inspired from outside, (11) large scale influx of refugees in numbers
beyond capacity of Colony to absorb;
(iii) external aggression by guerilla bands.
2. We have concluded that protection against threats at (b) above is possible provided garrison is reinforced.
Reinforcements would also, of course, have valuable effect both of maintaining morale of all communities in Hong Kong and of leaving Communists in no doubt about our intention to resist
attempts to provoke disorders and undermine authority there.
3.
We have, therefore, decided to reinforce present garrison from United Kingdom. A brigade headquarters and one battalion
/is to move