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of growing confusion in China, local extremists may
escalate the situation of their owm initiative. If local
action was pushed to the poins that disturbancos resulted
in heavy loss of life or bloodshed, it is most unlikely
that Peking could stand aside. The situation could
rapidly develop into one of all-out confrontation
(paragraph 14 above).
Araonation
17. Praduation plens for Hong Kong data back to the
early 1950s, are out-of-date and useless in presen
circumstances. De consider in any caso that only a very
limited evacuation is realistic or practicable today.
18. The Governor, supported by Chiefs of Staff, has
argued strongly that a general evacuation is totally
unrealistic and that an evacuation limited to non-Chine se
elements of the population is morally indefensible,
undesirable and in some circumstances imprcoticable.
19. Evacuation policy will be an issue to be considered
in the Working Party reriowing future policy on Hong long.
But urgent consideration is being given to the preparation
of a plan for a very limited evacuation of all those who
might be particularly vulnerable to Chinose retaliation or
pressures. Buch people would include intelligence
personnel, members of the Police Force (particularly spocial
Branch), loyal Chinese proninontly identified with the
British connection.
20. The Australians have a contingent of their nationals
attached to the intelligence community in long song.
They
have become increasingly concamed about their safety in
the event of our withdrawal and it will be necessary to
give tho: some assurance on the lines in paragraph 19 above.
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