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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

SECRET

C.0.S.(19) 75

26TH FEBRUARY, 1949

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

COPY NO. 4

DEFENCE OF HONG KONG

(25).

Copy of a letter (Ref. 94001/28/49) dated 24th February, 1949 from the Colonial Office to the Secretary, Chiefs of Staff

Committee

(21):

за

(2.3)

Please refer to your letter of the 14th January about the defence of Hong Kong.

2.

I enclose a copy of the Governor of Hong Kong's telegram 113+, in which the view is expressed that no wiring of the frontier should be done, even under the pretext of the Customs Agreement, until a threat appears imminent.

We have also just received a copy of the Minutes of the B.D.C.C.(F.E.) 16th Meeting, dated 28th January, in which the Committee, among other conclusions, "took note that it was probable that major incidents on the frontier could be avoided in the near future, but that it was important not to provoke them by any precipitate action to close the frontier",

4. These views are at variance with the conclusion of the Chiefs of Staff stated in paragraph 3 (a) of your letter under reference, and you may wish to bring this to their notice in case they wish to make any further comments.

5.

I also enclose for your information a copy of the Secretary of State's telegram No. 207, about the supply of wire.

+ X

(Signed) J.C. MORGAN.

Annex I

Annex II

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S.W.1.

26TH FEBRUARY, 1949.