CO537-4075 — Page 38

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(1/1397/48)

Sir,

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT,

HONG KONG

6th July, 1948.

(1)

I am directed to refer to your despatch No. 30/11/48 of 28th May, 1948, forwarding extracts from despatches recently published in regard to operations in the Far East during the last war.

These extracts have now been considered by the Defence Committee and their comments are embodied in the attached memorandum. It must be pointed out that shortage of time has precluded any deep study of the contents of the despatches.

To the memorandum there is to be added the following comment. It is essential that everyone concerned with the defence plans of Hong Kong should clearly understand that the consideration of future defence measures has to be undertaken against a background of bitter- ness and lack of faith on the part of a very large section of the civilian community. Whether this attitude is justified is not the

Defence question; but its existence must be recognised as a fact. planning in Hong Kong so far as it affects the civil population there- fore starts under a severe handicap. Very great care will be needed to recover the ground lost in 1941.

Deputy Commissioner-General, (Colonial Affairs)

Cathay Buildings, SINGAPORE.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Sgd. D.M. MACDOUGALL

COLONIAL SECRETARY .

K