ANNEX TT.
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PLANS FOR THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG
IN THE PRESENT EMERGENCY
1.
As a result of the situation in China the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, have submitted their preciationt on the probable effect on Hong Kong and the forces required to meet an emergency.
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The Colonial Office, in consultation with the Governor of Hong, Kong, have examined this appreciation* with which they are not altogether in agreement, and have submitted their views in a memorandum to the Chiefs of Staff. It is clear, however, that the Governor was not fully consulted before the apprecia- tion by the Commanders-in-Chief was forwarded in its final form.
3.
We compare at Appendix the views expressed by the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, with those submitted by the Colonial Office and give our detailed comments.
Conclusions
4.
From this examination we conclude that:
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(a) The internal security threat, as envisa- ged by the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, may materialise before the third quarter of 1949.
(b) The most immediate threat to the Colony
is a vast influx of refugees; Communist inspired strikes may occur simultan- eously.
(c) The repercussion of such an influx on
the internal security and administrative commitments in Hong Kong would be extremely serious.
(a) The military garrison must therefore
be prepared to concentrate at present on aiding the Civil Goverment in meeting the immediate refugee threat, since the possibility of external aggression is more remote.
(e) The Civil authoties must consider taking all possible steps to counter the refugee problem including the erection of wire, making arrangements for food rationing and registration, establishing a
+
and
Control
48 file
SEACOS 872 dated 15 December 1948(39)on 48 file SEACOS 874 dated 23 December 1948 C.0.S. (49) 12 to copy 2
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