TOP SECRET GUARD 10. Likelihood of direct intervention at a later date. I U.N. action showed signs of achieving its object, Chinese appeals for Soviet assistance would, no doubt, be pressed with increasing vigour. In that event the Russians might consider it expedient, in order to preserve friendly relations with the Chinese, to provide Soviet air unite for the defence of South China, but, in our view, they would be unlikely to provide any large force. Likelihood of Soviet intervention elsewhere in the Far East 11.