CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 91

000 77

From:

Kajor General C.S. Sugden, C.B., C.B.E.

1012/B/1005

Jear

W Subben Warif

M525

his leage, F. Manly sk

•

Room 225,

The ar uffice,

41

Whitehall, S. 7.1.

3/July, 1946.

.~(52) ? 13031/0

In March 1846 the Defence Committee approved a polic, whereby Hong Kong should be regarded as an undefended port, and agreed that although Hons ong could not be

de ended agat.st a major power in occupation of the Chinese ainland, it could be used as an operational naval and air base in a war in the Paciic in which China was in friendly hands.

The Defence Comittee also agreed that forces of the order of one brigade and half a flying-buat squadron, with units of the British Pacific Fleet providing such nával co-operation as might be necessary, would be req ired in peace fur some considerable time to ensure internal security, as a precaution against piracy and as a deterrent to an

It was further attempt at incursion by Chinese uerillas. agreed that the present arrison of two brigades should e reduced to one brigade or this purpose, directly that the

e-establishment of the rolice Force permitted which I understand will be by about 1st January, 1947.

In light of the above decisions the Chiefs of staff have recently ind under consideration the fiture Larrison of long Kung.

While it is appreciated that it may be desirable to retain British troops in ong Kong, the anger allocated to the Army will not permit the provision of ... Ar y troops. The army brigade rt present in ong Kong is an Indian rigade and its retention there is subject to the agree ent of the India Government, whose continued acquiescence in this respect must be cu.sidered as very problematical in the

future.

In view of the above the Chiefs of Staf invited the lar ice to raise with the colonial of ice the question of the provision 3 a Police force of Gendarmerie Capable o ensuring the interal sec rity and local protec- tion of the Colony against guerillas. I making this suggestion' the Unies of staf recommended that this force should have as high a proportion of European personel, on the lines of the Palestine Police, as circumstances would permit.

/ince it will..........

CommanJo

Sir George Gater, GOLG, CB, DS, SP,

Colonial office,

Whitehall, S.7.1.

- 3 AUG 1946

0.0. nuž

Ref:

CO 537/1260

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