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(c) In the case of an enforced withdrawal, a limited evacuation of very vulnerable people (with their families) by such Service transport as was available at the time (perhaps with American assistance) would probably be possible. The majority of these people would be of Chinese race. But, subject to detailed study, it would not seem possible that the total numbers could exceed about 2,000 and there could be no guarantee that even they could be got away. Any such operation would have to be very quick and very simple and would best be carried out at night. In addition to the considerable difficulties inherent in any night operation, even one which has been rehearsed, there would be the problem of getting the individuals, who would not be assembled in one place, to the point of embarkation.
ANNEX A
Financial and Economic Contingency Planning
Delete Paragraph 1 and renumber remaining paragraphs accordingly.
New Paragraph 3 (old paragraph 4)
Delete existing paragraph and substitute:
3. We have not yet considered the question of salvaging movable assets like ships (particularly important), commercial stocks of goods, and such items as precious stones and precious metals (including bullion);
further study of the problems of evacuating persons, if this is directed by Ministers, could be extended to cover the evacuation of movable
assets.
New Paragraph 4 (old paragraph 5)
Delete first sentence and substitute:
4. If the Chinese had occupied Hong Kong in the circumstances assumed
for the purposes of this study, it must be expected that they would try to obtain control over the disposition of assets, whether....
New Paragraph 5 (old paragraph 6)
Delete first sentence and substitute:
5. If they obtained control over the disposition of these balances the
Chinese would probably seek to transfer them to the account of the
Chinese Government in third countries and to convert them to other
currencies.
New Paragraph 7 (old paragraph 8)
In the last line delete "Annexes" and substitute "Appendices".
New Paragraph 8 (old paragraph 9)
In line 3 delete "Annex" and substitute "Appendix".
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