1. I had a discussion this afternoon with Attlee and he stated the
position in Hong Kong and his policy in China very much on lines
of messages which you have received. [1] I told him that your
statement as contained in message was the sound general policy and
that the position in Hong Kong might not develop unsatisfactorily
especially if the general attitude towards the Chinese Government
followed the lines of Australian policy. [2] I also suggested that
if there appeared to be any actual threat against Hong Kong the
matter could with propriety be brought before the Security Council
by any interested country including the United Kingdom or
Australia and this might result in the appearance before the
Council of persons who could speak for North China. He was in
general agreement but anxious about the possibility of Australian
help from Japan in relation e.g. to medical personnel.