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COLONIAL

CIRCULAR DESPATCH

OFFI

Ansdat (3)

THE CHURCH HOUSE

GREAT SMITH STREET LONDON, S.W.I

SECRET

Sir,

5th August, 1948.

COLONIAL POLICE FORCES.

You will be aware that in the Federation of Malaya and in

Singapore the Governments are at present engaged in the defeat of a

determined attempt by organised dissident elements, through a

campaign of terrorism and murder, to overthrow established order.

In the Gold Coast also public security was seriously threatened

earlier this year, and, although the inspiration and motives of the

disorders in that territory differed from those in Malaya, there

were rioting and destruction of property on a appreciable scale.

2. It is in my view essential that every possible means should

be taken to prevent similar happenings in other Colonial

territories, and there is much evidence that the sources which have

inspired the outbreak in Malaya (ard had some indirect responsibility

for those in the Cold Coast) are on the look-cut for similar

opportunities elsewhere.

Covernors to take into review the present state of efficiency, in

numbers, organisation, and equipment, of their Security forces, and

to report as soon as possible, indicating any respects in which those

forces are not considered to be fully adequate or efficient at

present.

I therefore consider it necessary to ask

I am

3. Such a review should of course take into account the

existence or otherwise of intelligence and special branches.

aware that in several Colonies progress has recently been made in

THE-OFFICER ADMINISTERING

THE GOVERNMENT OF

..strengthening/