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HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 1574 TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
(a)
MA
2
The distribution by some Communist. Unions of strike pay for November on a scale similar to previous months. However, there are indications that funds are running low and that payment will no lor be made to strikers who have secured alternative employment.
(e) An improvement in food supplies from China by rail at Lo Wu and the arrival by boat of some produce which nor amlly enters via the Man Kam To Bridge.
2.
Police action against Communist targets has continued, including raids against the homes of several students of Communist controlled schools, and has resulted in further seizures of crude weapons, explosives and inflammatory documents. On 18 October a leading member of the "fighting unit" of the Kowloon Motor Bus Branch of the Motor Transport Workers' Union was detained under the Deportation of Aliens' Ordinance.
3.
An inspection was carried out by Education Department staff at the Communist controlled Fukien Middle School. No irregularities came to notice. However, the now customary protests were made by staff and students over the arrest of students generally.
The Senior Inspector of Police abducted on 14 October at Man Kam To (telegram. 1545 refers) is still reported to be held at the Public Security Bureau, Shum Chun, where he is being questioned and apparently well treated.
5.
There has been little local reaction so far to the arrest of the Lo Rung villager in B.T. on 19 October (telegram 1560 refers). At meetings held by Communes in C.T. in the border area it was decided to ask the C.P.G. to negotiate his release and issue a general warning to all villagers in the border area not to cross into B.T. unless on essential business. The tone of these meetings was generally defensive.
6.
The violent outbursts by the Communist Press, following the raid on the Communist controlled Chung Wah Middle School suggests that the Communist leadership is apprehensive that schools may be closed for breach of conditions laid down by the Director of Education prohibiting political activity by students and this may have a deterrent effect upon the involvement of students in acts of violence. There is evidence that students in some Communist schools are being warned to clear their classrooms of inflammatory matter.
7.
The relatively minor upsurge in bomb incidents and the absence of street demonstrations immediately prior to the departure of Lord Shepherd on 21 October cannot have been considered the successful "send off" predicted in the Communist Press. This may indicate an increasing reluctance by some Communist rank and file to become involved, due in part, no doubt, to the number of arrests of persons responsible for bomb incidents and the willingness shown by members of the public to assist actively in the arrest of offenders. However, waves of violent action can be expected when particular conflicts arise. with Government, but the general trend of the Communist Press now suggests that industrial and social grievances may be the broad theme of agitation in the immediate future. The tone of the oral protest
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