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increase the numbers of people whom we might expect to bo able to evacuate.
On the other hand, knowledge of the presence or proximity of such ships
might cause the public in Hong Kong to put two and two together and thus
haston loss of confidenco. Somo other Governmonts might havo ships
In an
standing by for ovacuation purposes, but this is loss certain.
emorgoncy, use of both the harbour and the airport would be subject to
sovoro limitations, for a variety of reasons (soo paragraph 10).
Security Considerati ons
8. Tho gerriding security requiromont procludos any offective planning
on the lines indicated in para-raph 6. To produce any priority lists
that would be moaningful (i.o. up-to-dato and including addresses) it
would be necessary to call on the continuing servicos of a number of
officials in Hong Kong. Arca Wardons could not be expected to dis-
charge their duties successfully unless appointed in advanco and givon
somo advanco information of their functions. Any realistic planning
for assombly and ovacuation aroas and for mobilisation of civil transport
must involve a larger number of persons than is permissible having
knowledge of tho schomo.
Morcover, arrangements for temporary transit
and reception contros for largo numbors would entail somo advanco
discussion with other administrations o.. the Philippino and Singaporo
Governments and the Taiwan authoritics. Similar considerations would
also provont any officially directod or sponsored wooding out of
dopendants in advance of a general evacuation (although it is possible
that many would alroady have boon sont out by firms and individuals
acting on their own initiative). For the samo roason it would bo
undesirable to consult the United Statos boforchand about tho liko-
lihood of thoir being able to make available thoir warships and
morchantmon for ovacuation purposes. In addition to the security
consideration, any approach by us (which would have to bo mado at a
high lovel) might load the United States Government to doubt our
firmnoss of purpose in Hong Kong.
The Likely Hong Kong Situation
9.
Whoroas in normal ovacuation oxorcises olsowhore little rogard
nood bo paid to the impact of the departures, the overriding nood to
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