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whom some other place would have to be found.
There could be no question of a negotiated withdrawal and the withdrawal would have to be carried out under a military screen
and would need the assistance of the Americans, Australians and
other allies.
The Governor was informed that two reports were to be prepared:
(i) an interim report on possible withdrawal from Hong Kong
as an emergency measure if the present troubles escalated very rapidly;
(ii) a long term study of Hong Kong including the
possibility of a negotiated withdrawal should a
favourable opportunity arise.
It had also been agreed that when these studies were completed and had been approved by Ministers discussions should take place
with the Americans and Australians.
The Governor stressed that if any news got back to Hong Kong
that he was talking about withdrawal his own position would become
intolerable and confidence in Hong Kong would crash. He also felt
that if his recommendations were accepted and it was decided to go
ahead with plans for voluntary withdrawal, he was too identified
with present policies to carry the new policy into effect.
My personal opinion is that the Governor is under considerable
strain and exhaustion and that his views and depression are coloured by this. He was extremely tense in the morning and as he was given
the opportunity to talk during the day he tended to become a little more relaxed. The position of the Governor in a Colony is a very
isolated one and I think one of the problems which Sir David Trench
has been up against is that he has had no one in Hong Kong who could
share the responsibility with him and he was finding it increasingly
difficult to take the very serious day-to-day decisions which are
required in the present circumstances.
The Governor confirmed that he had full confidence in Mr. Gass's
ability
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