CO537-2774 — Page 24

14882/5/48

Colonial office,

The Church louse,

Great Smith Street,

London, 9.5.1.

3 November, 1948

مت

SECRET

Dear brook

I am writing to you about an indent for a considerable quantity of arms and ammmition for the Hong Kong Police Force which, in view of the situation in Hong Kong, it is felt should be given special priority so as to ensure early delivery. The indent is, I understand lio.339/47 dated the 24th December, 1947.

We have recently received from Hong Kong a report on the internal security situation and the resources available to the Governor to deal with possible outbreaks of violence and disorder in the Colony. Although at the moment it would appear that there is no immediate threat to security, the Governor has emphasised that there could be a change almost overnight if, as a result of a deterioration of the situation in China or any other reason Chinese in Hong Kong should decide it to be in their interest to creat trouble within the Colony. This they could easily do with great suddenness by fomenting strikes and violent disorder of all kinds.

In order to improve the resources at his disposal to meet such a threat, the Governor has asked us to take action on a number of matter

/one

J. CROOK, E97.,

0:B.E.