CO537-4825 — Page 52

OUTWARD

TELEGRAM.

Isfore

FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

Cypher (0.7.F.)

ILIPORTANT

No. 1259 TOP SECRET

(3)

(1)

FOR

Seen No 8/12.

1) Mo Johnom 2) 1/2 Toiffel Smith

To see altuched Minden for

inforation flase.

TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham) 3) 243.

Sent 6th December, 1948. 23.00 hrs.

Сигал

ii)

My telegram 1242,

4

For regsticton flear 94801/22/42 55 20m is wailable (for luled to

mely M Pulferl)

The question has been raised whether with object of preventing serious influx of refugees and communist infiltration the land frontier of Hong Kong could be closed at short notice at an early date.

2.

7/12/48.

It has been suggested that it might be possible to enlist special Hong Kong frontier guard and/ or to raise gendarmerie under control of Com issioner of Police for this purpose.

3. I note that in your view there is no need at present for alarm, but that if any large influx of refugees occur, you would then endeavour with assistance of military to close frontier (your telegram 1068 paragraph 3 and 4 refer)

But I am anxious to know:

4.

(1)

What mumerical force would be necessary?

(11)

to what numerical extent military assistance would be required?

(111) whether special forces could be raised

locally as suggested above and if so what effect this would be likely to have on recruitment for Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force? (my telegram No.1242 paragraph S refers).

(iv) whether any reliable Hong Kong, Police

are available for this work: (paragraph 4 of your despatch No. 41 refers).

(v) whether necessary sup::lies of barbed vire

eta., are readily available?

(vi) what probable political effect world be

(1) in Hong Kong and

(2) in China ?

I should be grateful also for your assessment of desirability or otherwise of adopting such a step, in the general interest of security and the well being of the existing population of Hong Kong, before an actuat

/influx