CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 1362
8 September 1967
456
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No.1362 of 8 September. Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Washington and Canberra.
My immediately preceding telegram.
The present lull seems very likely to be a prelude to celebrations of 1st October anniversary which are expected to begin in the latter half of September. There is considerable evidence that the Communists do not wish to expose themselves to police reprisals during this period, possibly because they intend that many of their proscribed leaders now in hiding shall mange for the celebrations and they do not want to expose them unnecessarily to the risk of arrest.
2. The Communist Press has continued to fulminate against the iniquity and illegality of the recent sedition trials. However, it is noticeable that, in the last few days, they have toned down their comments so as not to bring themselves within reach of the law. There was some expectation that the inspection of the Communist schools would be exploited by both staff and pupils to demonstrate their defiance of government. The relatively low key of the present Communist Press line and the lack of reaction during the school inspection both indicate that the Communist hierarchy, which can effectively control both Press and schools, is reluctant at this juncture to provoke any real trouble. On the other hand, the bomb throwers who represent the more militant lower echelons are unlikely to stop their activities entirely although a decrease has already taken place.
Please pass to Washington as my telegram No.290 and Canberra as my telegram No.90.
OAGHK
Sent 09562 8 September
Recd. 1002Z 8 September
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CONFIDENTIAL
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