CO537-4998 — Page 248

(2/6/48) (B116) Wt. 19954, D98. 60m. 8/48, P. & N. Ltd. G813.

946-1/28.

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

The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.

Leisching

It is issued for the personal use of

Col. Le

TOP SECRET

Copy No.

C. O. S. (49) 12.

7TH JANUARY, 1949.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

50/1945.

94001/29.

Jucer:)

44/1945

PLANS FOR THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG IN THE

PRESENT EMERGENCY

Copy of a letter (reference: 94001/28) dated 6th January,

1949 from the Colonial Office.

Please refer to your lettert of the 25th November about the situation in Hong Kong.

2.

We have now seen the appreciation of the Commanders-in- Chief in SEACOS 872 (in the preparation of which the Governor was not consulted) and we have also been in consultation with the Governor on various points by telegram.

3. We have also been consulted by the J.P.S. in the prepara- tion of their paper JP (48)124(S) on "Strategic implications of the situation in China". We are satisfied with the general views expressed in that paper, but we do not feel that it is sufficiently directed towards the immediate problem of making an adequate plan for the protection of Hong Kong in present circumstances, although we of course understand that the Chiefs of Staff require to have the background of that paper at the time when they consider the appreciation of the Commanders-in-Chief Far East on the Hong Kong situation.

4. We understand that the Chiefs of Staff are likely to consider that appreciation together with the JPS paper very early in January. We should be most grateful if you could arrange for the attached Memorandum to be laid before them at the same time, as an expression of the views of the Secretary of State.

(Signed) TRAFFORD SMITH.

+ C.0. S. 1992/25/11/8.

Annex

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S. W.1.

7TH JANUARY, 1949.