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Hong Kong telegram No. 1534 to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.)
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(telegram No. 1500 refers), a report published on 14 October in a Communist newspaper described them as "defectors". On the same day a leading member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) stated that the two constables and ex- superintendent John Tsang would soon broadcast appeals over Radio Ville Verde calling on members of the Police Force to defect. This indicates that there is little hope of the constables being returned in the immediate future, if at all, and that the Chinese will attempt to make propaganda capital out of their alleged defection.
5. A second inspection of the Communist controlled school previously visited last week (paragraph 3 of tele gram No. 1509 refers) was completed without incident. The attitude of 6 school officials was less hostile on this occasion.
6. The resumption of planning in local Communist circles to stage a large scale memorial service, for the "martyrs" who have died in the course of confrontation, is probably designed to rejuvenate the anti-Government feelings of Communist rank and file, without coming into direct conflict with the authorities. These services will, no doubt, be used by the local Communist hierarchy to assess the amount of support they still have: if the response proves dis- appointing from the Communist viewpoint it is possible that, as happened earlier, the services may be postponed indefinitely.
7.
The incidents in the border area do not appear to have preplanned or connected with the upsurge of violence in urban areas. It is at present difficult to assess what may happen to the police officer abducted at Man Kam To. It is likely that he is now in the hands of the PLA who will probably accord him better treatment than his abductors. He could be held as a hostage against Government's accession to various demands or interrogated to obtain a "confession" for propaganda purposes. It is possible also, of course, that his abduction may be regarded as an embarrassment by the CPG and that he will be quickly released, as happened in the case of the police constable abducted at Sha Tau Kok on 7 October 1967. The local Communist Press reports regarding the incident are comparatively mild in tone: this, together with the non-committal response by the New China News Agency official, indicates that local Communists are awaiting instructions from China as to how they should play the abduction.
8. The outbreak of widespread incidents timed to coincide with the arrival in the Colony of Lord Shepherd indicated a greater degree of co-ordination and control than has been apparent in previous activities of this nature. Editorial comment in the Communist Press supports the view that this use of violence is designed to demonstrate, at first hand, to a representative of Her Majesty's Government that the Communis ts are far from beaten and have no intention of abandoning the struggle. There is little doubt that, encouraged by the Press and supporting statements by various Anti-Persecution Struggle Committees, these incidents will
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