CO537-5001 — Page 126

Jisadvantages of relacing the Civil Governor by a Service Governor

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1. hat we hope to coli w is to deter the 110960

omanists from Attackis. Hong Kong by showing that ne rre able And willin, to colend it. The replacement of the Civil Governor by a ervice Governor might well be interpruted da indicating that to regard an extermi attion on ti Colony as inevitable. This would be bad for the port..e of the population of Hong Kong, and mos-over nå ht take on externà attack more likely.

Seca

8. If (es avena inevitable) un extorted attach waru combined with intern 1 troubles, the handling of the 1 tter would be a full time job. A nowly appointed selvico Governor would be prently hampered by his lack of knowledge and experience of 1o8.

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This involves More in 5 IK W

3. A successful defende of Hon. Jone (1.0. 12 it la to remin a place worth defencing) will do ond Largely on the successiul handling of the civil population Ramiliarity with locul problems and viowo. Poluni...1 Becrutuy who la hino.lk & NUMCURRY. The pluslut Governor læs bed in the saddle for two years and is completely au fail with the logul situation. It would be a mistake to remove him at this juncture.

4. If our policy of going on with various importunt projects in lous 03 is to be effective, it would in cost difficult for a military Governor without vide expOPALNCO. Very complicated Jigani 1 1scus re involved.

5. There is a complicated constitutional lasuo voluping which will require handling by someone with very full know- ledge of Hong Kong altuirs and constitutionul 1733.

3. The above consisertions can best le sot by the adoption of the Teyion wartime arrangeant of a la mor- 10-hi (with overriding power in attorn or defuikt, and suthorised to take over the whole adi istration is a real emergency) and a civilian Governor were ing side by silu.

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7. Unicas he were pausted, the removal G2 ir. (antiam would be reg rdeð 23 ( alight on hima. ecent ructions to Fr. Machupall's "resignation" ore i diehtivu os til koon concern. felt by local opinion in such atters. mobiicial co-operation vich & Military Gover or might well be preju.iced.