CO537-4825 — Page 27

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES Cypher (0.1.P.)

ལས་

No.1201 3ECRET

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham) D. 30th December, 1948. R. 30th

13.40 hrs,

Addressed Secretary of State

Repeated Commissioner General No,151.

Your telegram No.1328. Com

on 94001/25/20

إليه

Emergency Measures,

I was not (repeat not) consulted in the preparation of appreciation referred to, which is perhaps regrettable. I have already received copy of it from Singapore.

But ave my comments on it and on your telegram under reference.

Za

Following

Threat to Hong Kong, I see nothing inherently improbable in conclusions of Commanders in Chief but it is really too early to make intelligent forecast. I have already informed you that I am at present of the opinion that attack or terrorism is unlikely in the period mentioned; possibility of wholesale influx of refugees (which also at present unlikely) would remain the primary problem. Threat of armed invasion envisaged by Commanders in Chief would merely present us with two primary problems.

3.

Garrison. June, 1949, is certainly the earliest date possible for the Hong Kong Defence Force Battalion to be operational.

4,

Regarding your paragraph 2 (iii), I should be grateful if my views could be pressed for reasons mentioned.

see this connection my telegrama Nos. 1145 (C) (1+)

Reference your paragraph 2 (111)(1). In the event of actual offensive operations against the Colony by Chinese forces of either side, we would have to be prepared to regard Chinese Police as uncertain although, as stated in my telegram No.1187, it 19 considered that they could be relied upon against mere influx of refugees if backed up by the Military and if His Majesty's Government's determination to hold on in Hong Kong was made clear.

Relief aroblem. I agree that the Services should not (repeat not) be di tracted by responsibility for administering the refugee problemi. I am already assured of their full

5.

/cooperation