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(g) the political and economic uncertainty in China from which Hong Kong cannot be divorced, the Nationalist forces in Kwantung are continually driving Communist alias bandit forces of anything up to 500 in strength against our land and sea frontiers

(b) and finally the inability of the civil administration at the present to take over the physical administration of outlying districts and islands in the new territories.

3.

at present there is no artillery in Hong Kong and it is felt strongly that the garrison is unbalanced so long as this state continues.

4.

Recommendations

(a)

that there should be no reduction in

the present strength of the gurrison of two brigades, one at least of which must remain British

(b) that a regiment of field artillery

should be included in the garrison.

5.

The above recommendations were discussed

with Admiral Mountbatten during his recent visit to Hong Kong and he agreed.

TUO 2509382

N

nirculation

Defence office

Foreign office

First Seu Lord

C.6.Tels

A.M.C.S.

Secretary of State for Colonies Secretary of State for Dominions Secretary of State for India General Sir Mosley Layne

Rel

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' berns and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

CYPHER TELEGRAM

inst be thoroughly paraphrased if its text in to be published

d outside British or American Bervices or Departments. F than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark Pad."

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1/4/46 Defence of King King).

of Staff.

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25th February, 1946.

referee.

nt that a considerable period of conditions in Hong Kong can reach bility. Whatever therefore the ence of Hong Kong, it will be

1 provision for the interim period y failure to maintain law and

ng weapon in the hands of the

theatre strategic consideration ors are likely to influence

adequacy of the locally recruited Fully manned and trained before the anyhow may be susceptible to

reatly increased security burden general dislocation and unsettled fter enemy occupation, now fall to

conomic distress which must remain ent return

open" frontier which allows the umbers of undesirables attracted atively higher standard of living ails here

ontinued movement of large number gh the colony

rospect of the repatriation through 0 Japanese prisoners of war from

+ Held for check and repeat

cms

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Please note that this copy is supplied subjects given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet t to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

restrictions Further information is

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