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the removal of the European population while leaving the others to their fate would involve great risks for the European population themselves. I need hardly mention the moral arguments against such a course.
12.
But all these are immense problems and it is difficult to discuss them satisfactorily in telegrams. They really require consultation: but (although I am fit to travel if necessary) for me to go to England now would have a most serious effect on morale here: and a visit by a Minister might be equally
Visit by a dangerous and lay the Minister open to indignity. senior official or officials would however, seem to me to be highly desirable now.
13. Finally, for the moment, the basic practical question is, what are the real C.P.G. intentions? During the past week I have seen no evidence to suggest that they intend to force us out of Hong Kong. On the other hand, their present actions suggest that they wish to submit us to a Macau-type humiliation which would establish them once and for all in a dominating position here and also make it possible to force us to accept further demands, e.g. for the withdrawals of U.S. ships and the reduction of U.S. and K.M.T. influence. They are now in a position to launch an all-out confrontation of Government if they so decided but are they going to so decide? Was the queer limitation of their organized action on 18 May to demonstrations at my front gate planned merely to keep the pot boiling pending receipt of H.M.G.'s reply (which may have come unexpectedly quickly); was it a "last warning" before a general attack; or, just possible, was it a face-saving demonstration in a campaign which is in fact petering out for lack of continuing C.P.G. support in the face of economic logic and the strongly expressed condemnation of so many in Hong Kong? I am afraid it is impossible to say.
14.
C.B.F. has seen and agrees.
(Passed to D.S.A.O. as advance copies for F.E. Department)
Distribution:
P.S. to Minister of State
Sir Arthur Galsworthy
Mr. H.P. Hall
Mr. Carter
Mr. Jerrom
Mr. Russell
Copies also sent to:
P.S. to Prime Minister Commonwealth Office
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- P.S. to Secretary of State
Sir Saville Garner
Sir Arthur Snelling
Sir Neil Pritchard
Mr.
Moreton
Mr. Reed
Mr. de la Mare
Mr Wilson
Mr.
Bolland
Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon
Ministry of Defence Cabinet Office
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P.S. to S. of S. for Defence
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- D.I.O., J.I.R.
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