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CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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Long Term Froblem
3.
The south west asic Delence Committ、e at & meeting on 30th August, 1946 considered the views of the Governor oi Hong on on the extent of the garrison of that colony. Their conclusions were th. t since considcrable quantities of modern arms had been supplied to China oy voth the United indo and the U.S.... and much equipment had been left behind in the country by the Japanese, the assumtion made by the C.-in-C.; nong long, in his appreciation, that an attacking army could be adequately equipped still held good. They therefore concidered that, to act as a deterrent, a garrison of one british brigade and one field artillery regiment would be required permanently in the Colony, with another brigade group available witain 5.....Ü. and crable of being rapidly transported to ong ilong in emergency.
4.
It had previously buen suggested by the bar Qfice, that it would be undesirable to tie up Regular ritish troops in nongong and that a local militia would be adequate to safeguard the frontiers of the Colony. hile it is probable that ultimately a force of this nature would be adequi te ve agree with 3.A.0.S....A. that at the present time it would be insufficient, having regard to disturbed conuitions in China.
5.
Furthermore it has been represented by S.A.0.5.B.A. that Indian troops, assuming India were willing to supply them, would be unsatisfactory as the sole Arrison of the Colony on account of their unreliability in the event of communal disturbances. we agree with this view,
6. we consider, therefore, that it should be accepted in principle that the garrison of the Colony, the strength of which has already been proved as of the order of one brigade, should consist of one ritish brigade and a field regiment as recommended by the Governer of nongong and the ... Asia Defence Committee. This dritish force would be required until more stable conditions existed in China; thereafter the garrison duties should be tallen over by a local militia. all times it would be desirable to have a further brigade group available at cell within S....C.
At
7. In view of the pressing need for economy in the use of British forces, it ould oo advisable for thear Office and Colonial Office to reopen consiucration of the formation of a local militia. However, owing to the difficulty of fore- casting when it will be possible to dispense with the British garrison we feel it may not be possible for the Colonial Office to proceed beyond the extent of preparing plans which could be put into effect at short noticu.
Immediate Froblem
8. While the South Bt Asia Defence Committue agree with the estimates for Naval and Air Forces dutailed in sub- paragraph 2(b) above they point out that, with regard to the Árny garrison, the Governor of dong ong has stated that the local police will not be efficient enough to allow a reduction of troops before April 1947. They consider that two
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S.L.A.0.0.3. 747. 6th September, 1946.
0.0.8.(46) 193(0)
S...A.0.0.S. 714. 13th June, 1946.
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