00052
Top Secret
Dean Stapleton,
(8)8th
20th November, 1946.
どり
Thank you for your letter (No. Cos.1385/6) of the th November about the question of a gendarmerie for Hong Kong
We are very glad that the Chiefa of stuff have accepted the view that a Eritish garrison must be retained in Hong Kong at present. They feel, however, that ultimately, when conditions in China permit, this garrison should be withdrawn and replaced by a gendarmerie, und have invited us to discuss with the har office the preparation of plans for the formation of a gendarmerie for this purpose.
Our general view, as I think the Chiefs of staff were aware, is that future developments in China are so indefinite that plans prepared in present circumstances may well be inapplicable by the time the question of the withdrawal of the British garrison becomes a practical issue, and that planning at this stage is therefore scarcely likely to serve any useful ригрове. Moreover, the establishment of a gendarmerie us a protection against possible external attack would be a new development in Hong Kong (and indeed in any Colonial territory, the Palestine Police being designed for internal security under the special conditions which obtain in Palestine), and the Governor is not yet aware that any such proposal is under consideration. I am sure the Chiefs of staff will understand that in these circumstances we cannot commit ourselves to acceptance of the gendarmerie proposal, nor to the detailed preparation of pluns, until the Governor has had an opportunity of considering the matter and his views are available.
But while I feel bound to reserve our position at this stage, I am quite prepared to agree that there
Group Captain D.C. Stapleton, DFC., APC.
Bhould
I
cms
Ref:
CO 537/1261
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