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New Paragraph & (old paragraph 7)
Insert after the sixth sentence:
...acting on their own initiative). For the same reason it would be undesirable to consult the United States beforehand about the
likelihood of their being able to make available their warships and
merchantmen for evacuation purposes. In addition to the security consideration, any approach by us (which would have to be made at a high level) might lead the United States Government to doubt our
firmness of purpose in Hong Kong.
New Paragraph 9 (old paragraph 8)
Delete the fifth sentence and substitute:
At this stage, it seems likely that the police would be over-stretched,
while British forces would be fully committed, on the frontier and
assisting the police in the streets. Even if evacuees could be
collected together, it seems very doubtful that the security forces
could give any help in protecting them in transit areas, embarkation
points and on the way from one to the other. Any congregation of
evacuees would be vulnerable; they would at once attract a crowd
whose attitude might well be hostile. These dangers might be
reduced...
New Paragraph 10 (old paragraph 9)
Delete heading and Substitute
Plan "DIGIT"
New Paragraph 12 (old paragraph 11)
Add to last sentence:
.and even then, for the reasons given in paragraph 9, its success
would be doubtful.
New Paragraph 13 (old paragraph 12)
13 (a) Consistent with the security requirements laid down, only an outline plan of very limited effectiveness can be prepared for
evacuation, whether of large or small numbers. In practice it seems almost certain that in the circumstances envisaged the most that we could do would be to evacuate a very small number of persons whose escape was essential either for security reasons or because they were particularly vulnerable;
(b) An outline plan for large-scale evacuation might succeed in circumstances of negotiated withdrawal, in which time was available to improvise detailed arrangements when evacuation was ordered. could not be successful in conditions of enforced withdrawal;
It
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