CO537-5001 — Page 63

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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM.

DESPATCHED BY 0.T. P.

23

MENDED CIRCULATION

CZ

TOO

TOD

1267 031330A 031755A

OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE.

From:

Ministry of Defence, London.

To:

G.H.Q. Far East Land Forces.

DEF 603

3rd June 1949.

시

For FEDSEC for Casey from Price.

Please deliver following from Prime Minister personal and private for Minister of Defence on his arrival in Singapore. Text begins.

Following our discussions on 1st June instructions to Governor of Hong, Long, text of which is given below have been agreed with Secretary of State for the Colonies who would be grateful if you would hand then to Governor

on your arrival and explain to him the considerations

on which they are based, You should convey to him emphatically that they in no way reflect on his conduct of his civil administration of the Colony, and that we shall await with confidence, an assurance of his readiness to conform to these instructions to the successful working of which his wide experience, and knowledge of Hong Kong can contribute so much.

2. Please also inform the Governor that it is not intended that these instructions, should be made public, but subject to his views, we consider that they should be communicated in strict confidence to his Executive Council and to other senior officials as he may think necessary.

3.

•

You should inform Governor that Major General (acting Lieut. General) Festing has been selected for the post of Commander of the Forces in Hong Kong but that the announcement of Festing's appointment will not be made until after I have received your report of your interview with the Governor.

4.

Following is text of instructions to the Governor of Hong Kong, Begins.

(i) Having regard to the threats to the security of Hong Kong, H. M. G have decided to appoint a Commander to command all the land, air and local naval defence forces in Hong Kong. He will be responsible to the B.D.C.C. through the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East.

in

(ii) In this connection H.M. G. have had under consideration the recommendation in the Governor's Secret Despatch No. 15 of the 3rd May, 1949 that present circumstances, the Hong Kong dovernment should continue to take all possible measures of defence and security, provided that they do not jeopardise the primary functions of the Clony as a trading base.

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