security, or the defence of the Colony against a possible external attack, may be prejudiced.
L
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It is therefore a matter of timing on which it if not possible for valid conclusions to be resched in London. The whole matter should therefore be kept constantly under review by the Local Defence Committee.
Having regard however to the fact that the only justification for the very exceptional measures which have already been taken, or are still under consideration, for the reinforcement to the Colony, ia the existence of a very serious threat to the life of the Colony, either from sabotage within or from attack from without, or both, the only guidance which it is possible for H.M.G. to give in present circumstances is that, in the event of a difference of opinion between the military and civil authorities as to the timing of any major security measure, the military view should prevail".
It has occurred to us that since what may be involved here is an issue between the Governor and the Commanders-in-Chief, it might be useful to have a short meeting with General Ritchie and Air-Marshal Lloyd before the letter returns to Singapore on (I think) Wednesday.
As regards the question (policy towards Communists in Hong Kong) raised in para. 11 of the
/ memorandum