Operations for Capture of Hongkong. Note by Sec. Covering Telegram to J.I.C. Washington

Japan's overriding concern will be the defence of her Inner Zone. Accordingly, the effort which she will expend on the defence of Hong Kong will depend primarily on the importance of Hong Kong in the defence of the Inner Zone. In the second place, it will depend on the importance of Hong Kong in keeping open a sea lane to the Outer Zone. Value of Hong Kong for defence of Inner Zone 5. (a) Strategic The Japanese would appreciate that the gaining of Hong Kong by the Allies, if further exploited by the capture of Canton, would give us a major port through which we might eventually send large scale supplies to the Chinese.