The differences to which the Governor refers are:-
(1) That an area to the South East need no longer be
patrolled and since little patrolling has in fact been done in this area (which is well out to sea) the Governor is arranging for the patrols to be withdraw altogether.
(ii) That the new boundary takes in an area to the
South West which has hitherto not been patrolled by the police, though occasionally visited by Naval patrols. This new line is very much more satisfactory than the old one "which appeared to deny us a passage in our own waters around the South Western end of Lantau Island". The Governor therefore proposes to start police patrols in this area, but, since the Communists are very active here and since incidents are bound to occur, he seeks an early approval of this action.
We consider that the Governor's arguments are very strong and we want to reply to him as in our draft as soon as possible, We should be grateful for your comments, therefore, if possible by telephone, though you will no doubt wish to consult your legal advisers on the arguments adduced in paragraphs 1 and 4 of the Secret Saving.
/This