CO537-4825 — Page 10

Control

7. Note on

Doodagh of Entry by

sea into

Hong Kong.

7

From the point of view of Defence Department

I think we are getting on to the wrong basis here. Mr. Morgan and I have discussed, and the following represents our joint views.

We have on other papers (which I will not delay to attach) already asked the Chiefs of Staff to.consider the whole question of the threat to Hong Kong resulting from current developments in China and they have, as I understand it, passed on the request for an appreciation and for plans to deal with the problem to the local Commanders in Chief, who have visited Hong Kong for the purpose of producing the answer. This being so, it is not, in the view of Defence Department, appropriate for the

Colonial office, or even the Governor, to consider individual facets of the whole planning picture until the views of the Commanders in Chief are known. Their views will take into account all the relevant

elements of the Defence position in the Far East, and their recommendations will be related to what is possible in the Far Eastern sphere, having in mind our overall defence commitments throughout the world.

If we wish to press a proposal to close the sea frontier for special Colonial Office reasons I think we ought to approach not the Governor but the Chiefs of staff, who will pass on what we say to the Commanders in Chief, who will take it into account in preparing their plan.

If, of course, for the information of Ministers here it is desirable simply to get information on Hong Kong, (since otherwise ministers may be pressed in the House and elsewhere and may be unable to answer, then it is perfectly appropriate to approach the Governor as proposed. But seeing from the Governor's point of view, he has the current situation to deal with from day to day, he must no doubt have a lot of points to deal with in connexion with the Commanders in Chief's appreciation, he has no 1941 files to consult about the request in para. 3 of the

/draft,

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