CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 279

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re known to be in possession

ained Parachute Regiment;

not so far had battle

hout American aid, the

d be ineffective against

nd in the unlikely event

eat Britain and China, we

rican personnel would not

e side of China.

t, at present, China tas

st line aircraft to which total pproximately 400 Japanese and

rn American planes.

be imposed on their

y poor servicing, once

Severe

ion is withdrawn, It is

under these conditions, air

ary operations could not be

ld be limited to sporadic

d be ineffective in face of

danger of mining by aircraft ligible.

he Central Government is to

2 means. This policy has

surrender, and was reaffirmed

on 24th August, 1945.

Past

lons suggest, however, that 1emselves to purely

ressure to bear for the

xample, a propaganda campaign

a has already been experienced

ly been reinforced by a press Isplacement of Chinese from

the New Territories. It is 111 be maintained and

ernment as a natural prelude Lomatic means for the

pressure is likely to be

inst the New Territories, a ssion is to be expected in

ind on the Frontier of

38.

There might also

lated and limited mining

is on Port or Military Ich may, however, have rilian morale.

pirates for personal

ids as the result of

• civil war in China,

00234

1 2

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafiel

i note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of I may be subject to copyright

N

(E) Infiltration of large numbers of agents into

the Chinese population to organise strikes, civil unrest and boycott.

(F) Interruption of food and other supplies to the

Colony from China, to lend weight to the political campaign for recovery of Hong Kong.

PROBABLE FORMS OF ATTACK

7. Attacks (A) and (B) are only likely in the future if open hostilities break out with the Central Government, as their armies are the only forces well equipped with

We have modern arms, including aircraft and transport.

Modern weapons excluded this possibility in para 2 above.

would not be available to a Provincial War Lord, should one rise in Southern China to challenge the rule of Chiang Kai- shek.

8. Individual raids by pirates for personal gain take place continually even in peace time but are likely to increase in the event of (Ã), (2) or (F) occurring.

9.

Attack (D) is likely to affect the frontier area, and communications with the colony in Chinese territory (e.g. the Canton-Kowloon railway), rather than in the colonial territory itself. For this reason, and because in the event of civil war there is always the possibility of an influx of armed desorters, strong military and police patrol of the frontier would be necessary.

10. Of all forms of attack (E) carried out in conjunction with (F) is most likely, and is also in keeping with Chinese character and history. This type of attack is also the most difficult to meet. The movement of Chinese to and from Hong Kong cannot be properly controlled and as an example Chinese entries into the Colony at the present

It moment exceed departures by about 30,000 per month. would not be difficult for the Chinese to match this influx with the smuggling-in of large quantities of small arms and light mortars.

INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION

11. As regards C.-in-C., Hong Kong's recommendation regarding an intelligence organisation, we agree that a Joint Intelligence Committee should be maintained in Hong Kong: Civil authorities to be represented as well as the three Services. We agree that services of reliable agents for reporting from the mainland are essential, and we assume that they will be operated by an appropriate secret organisation. We suggest further that close liaison be maintained with H. M. Consul-General at Canton and H.M. Embassy in China by the appointment either of an Embassy official to be attached to the Hong Kong Government, or of a liaison officer who would travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese capital.

(Signed)

Offices of the Cabinet and

Minister of Defence, 8.W.1.

25TH JANUARY, 1946.

H.A, CACCIA

E.G.N. RUSHBROOKE

F.W. de GUINGAND T.W. ELMHIRST

7

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CO 537/1260 THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh