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CYPHER telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the

Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Dated 3rd July, 1939. Received 7.59 a.m., 3rd July.

No. 191.

Your telegram No. 121. Compulsory Service Bill.

Following estimate is conservatively made on the assumption

that only British subjects of pure European descent in the

age group 18 to 40 years inclusive would be enrolled in

combatant units (see Bill Clause 11(2)(a)(b) and (c)).

According to recent registration, total in age

group is approximately 1700.

From this must be deducted (a) medically unfit for

military service estimated at 200 (b) irreplacable

holders of key posts in Government and essential commercial

employment.

Total key posts are at prosent put at 860;

assuming one third of these to be medically fit men in

this age group deductable number is 287 (c) members of the

two existing volunteer forces viz. 760.

Inferonce is

that between 400 and 500 men in the age group would be

enrolled,

If the men in the age group 41 to 55 years were

to be enrolled it is reasonable to assume that another 50

would volunteer for active service. Moreover as the

enrolment would place many of this group in Section (c)

essential services e.g. guard duty, effect would be to

release fighting men for first line duty.

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