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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S governm

TO BE Kept undER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

SECRET.

0.S.(40) 238.

COPY NO.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

HONG KONG

PERIOD BEFORE RELIEF.

(Previous Paper No. C.0.S. (40)193).

Memorandum by the Chief of the Imperial

General Staff.

102

A reply has been received from the General Officer Commanding, China, to the cable sent in accordance with the Conclusion of Minute 3 of C.0.S. (40) 7th Meeting held on 12th January, 1940. Copies of the two cables are at Annex A and B.

In reply to an enquiry from the General Officer Commanding, China, instructions were sent later that the problem should be considered now from the short term point of view of what could be done immediately, and consideration of the ultimate organisation for a long term policy should be deferred. His reply is accordingly on that basis.

A summary of the questions and replies is as follows:-

Question

(1) Is 180 days storage

practicable on the island?

(2) If not, what increase can

be held?

(1) Possible to store 180 days

&

food under siege conditions for garrison, but only feasible to hold 130 days,

(2) in view of storage

difficulties for civil population, tropical climate, and possibility of damage to reserves by enemy action,

(3) How long

(a) to prepare plans

and estimates?

(b) construct necessary

buildings?

(4) What delay will be caused

to 90 day scheme if longer period is adopted?

(3)

(a) Three weeks.

Rough

estimate £20,000,

exclusive of land.

(b) Five months from date

of authority.

(4) No delay.

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