FO371-23518 — Page 340

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SECRET CIPHER

TELEGRAM.

inter

SECRET.

From: G.O.C. Hong Kong.

To

:

The War Office.

IMMEDIATE

5524 cipher 14/9.

FIRST OF TWO PARTS.

160

Desp.1611 14/9/39. Recd.1530 14/9/39.

F 10262

19 SEP 1980

During the last few weeks work has been proceeding

rapidly on the defences particularly on island and in training

of volunteers. The strength of defence of island is now in

Japanese.

my opinion such as to be definitely deterrent to attack by

Provided sufficient warning available to permit

evacuation of bulk of European women and children and provided

garrison is composed as at present of reliable and trained

troops there are reasonably good prospects of defence holding

out for a limited period.

It seems to me advantage might be taken of

international discussions now proceeding on the withdrawal of

belligerent forces fro China to improve situation at Hong Kong

and at the same time release regular troops for service

elsewhere. Tokyo telegram No.1138 of eth to Foreign Office

indicates Japanese willingness to give assurances that they do

not wish to take advantage of our temporary difficulties in

Europe.

LAST PART.

If really reliable undertaking could be obtained from

Japan not to attack Hong Kong for period of years or during

war with Germany the majority regular troops in existing

garrison might be replaced by less well trained troops in

numbers adequate for internal security and guarding frontiers

against Chinese irregulars. Undertaking suggested might be

specific or included in wider pact.

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