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This is an unparaphrased version of a Secret cypher message and unless it is marked O.T.P. (One Time Pad) or Publex must first be paraphrased if commun- icated to persons outside British and United States Government Services.

Any telegraphic retransmission of a telegram marked Publex must be in a One Time System.

Outward Telegram from Commonwealth Relations Office

DEFENCE & CIVIL AVIATION DEPT.

D. I

(GOVT.)

D. 3246/1

CYPHER (TYPEX)

TO:

CANADA

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

"

SOUTH AFRICA

11

INDIA

11

PAKISTAN

CEYLON

tf

J

(Sent 23.14 hours 30th Apr.,

H.No.207 TOP SECRET

REINFORCEMENT OF HONG KONG

1949)

We have been giving urgent consideration to question of

reinforcing Hong Kong garrison in view of changing situation in

Important considerations in our view are:-

China.

(a) On present evidence it seems unlikely that

Communist army would make direct attack on Hong

Kong;

(b) Most likely threat to security of Hong Kong would

(i)

arise from:

internal unrest, if inspired from outside, (11) large scale influx of refugees in numbers

beyond capacity of Colony to absorb;

(iii) external aggression by guerilla bands.

2. We have concluded that protection against threats at (b) above is possible provided garrison is reinforced.

Reinforcements would also, of course, have valuable effect both of maintaining morale of all communities in Hong Kong and of leaving Communists in no doubt about our intention to resist

attempts to provoke disorders and undermine authority there.

3.

We have, therefore, decided to reinforce present garrison from United Kingdom. A brigade headquarters and one battalion

/is to move