CO537-4999 — Page 210

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Commonwealth Relations (frice,

Downing Street, ...i.

S RIAL RO.

KIDS VINSTER

Iwas asked at the Cabinet meeting yesterday to formulate and submit to you proposals about the timing and method of approach and the basis on which other Commonwealth Covernment,s might be asked whether they would be prepared to assist in the cerence of Hong kong. I am going into this at once and shall make a submission to you as soon as possible. In the meantime there is one step which should be taken urgently. I am clear that it is essential to let the Governments of the four "old" Dominions have the Chiefs of

staff appreciation at once, so that they may have as full an understanding as we of the position and may be thinking

about it. I also think it important that the cocuments

should be sent to the United Kingdom High Commissioners in the three "new" Lominions for their own information, pending

a cecision as to the approach to those Governments.

The Chiefs of Staff agree to the communication to the

Governments of Canada, Australia, New Dealand and South

Africa of the annexes to their report circulated in

C.F.(49) 100, and I attach drafts of two letters which I have

had prepared (a) to the united kingdom liigh Commissioners in

the "old" Dominions, and (b) to the United

Commissioners in the "new" Dominions.

ingdon High

I should be glad to have your approval for the letters

to issue. It is very desirable, if possible, that they

should leave this country by air mail and King's Liesbenger

on/

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