CO537-4998 — Page 37

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goed effbet cainide as indicating our determination to defend our own terzitories and peoples and to help to protect our friends againat the advance of communism in this region of the world.

4. Following are our suggestions, some of which Granthaw has already urged in previous messages.

II

Ia

III.

A simple and clear statement of our intention that Hong Kong shall remain British and that we shall take all necessary measures to defend it should be made in the House of Commons. This is of paramount Importance and should precede moat of the further stepe suggested below. Without such a statement they will not (repeat not) be of sufficient avall.

Following this publication or preferably as a part of it more detailed general announcement about our resources for the defense of Hong Kong should be published, This should emphasize that troops and air forces how in Malaya contain theatre reserve for the Far East, being there easily available for despatch to Hong Kong The statement might incidentally (? make omitted) reference to our plan to expand the Balaye Regiment and other local Parces in Malays as an indication that Maloya is becoming increasingly able to contribute on a considerable acele to its own defence, so that striking Forces will be all the more certainly available for service(s), if and when required in Hong Kong. trust that statement could also say that a theatre reserve held in Maleye (7 of omitted) other

battalions and squadrons would come from further afield if necessary for defence of Hong Kong.

These statements should be followed by a greater show of military strength on the spot.

(a) The arrival in Hong Kong of H,M,S. "JAMAICA* ૩}

foreshadowed in the newspapers will have some effect.

(b)

Lloyd on y

I will discuss with Air Marshel return to Singapore the possibilty of sons aircraft being sont here from Malaya in the immediate futare. I understand from Grantham then this was tentatively agreed between them recently.

(c) as you know, although campaign against Melayan {ftefrorista) has inade stesdily sucoureging PROF888. Over the last five montka, we in Nelaya are averse to releasing troops unless these càn be replaced from elsewhere, General situation in the Federation mukes any reduction in forces undnzárable at present. But in view of great Leed to give opinion in Hong Kong effective reassurance following recent events in Chins I shall discuse with General Ritchie and the High Commissioner on my return to Singapore how scon we might contemplate sending say a battalion to Hong Kong (a) with replacement and (b) without replacement from elsewhere, I shall telegraph further on the subject from Singapore. We should bold meeting of Defence Co-ordination (corTOPÈ

/rown)