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HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 892 TO C.0.
~3~ -3
THE 1ST AUGUST, OF THE FOUNDING OF THE P L Au
1) THE ARREST OF TWO PERSONS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN BOMB ATTACKS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES LAST YEAR (PARA 2 OF TELEGRAM 1876/67)
2.
THE SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DELEGATIONS MAY BE AN ATTEMPT TO COUNTER PROPAGANDA IN THE NON COMMUNIST PRESS THAT THE REINSTATEMENT CAMPAIGN HAS FAILED. WHILE THE HOSTILE RECEPTION
BY STRIKERS TO REEMPLOYMENT IS, WITHOUT DOUBT, CAUSING LOCAL
;
LABOUR LEADERS GRAVE CONCERN, THE DECISION IN PARA 1(D) REGARDING „KOWLOON BUS 'STRIKERS' SUGGESTS OVERWHELMING FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS UNION OFFICIALS WILL HAVE TO MOVE VERY CAREFULLY, IN THE FACE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF LARGE SCALE DESERTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE TRANSPORTATION UNIONS, WHICH FORM THE LARGEST SINGLE GROUP OF 'STRIKERS'.
*** IME DELAYED REACTION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNISTS TO THE RELEASE OF THE TWO DETAINEES INDICATES CLEARLY THAT THE PRESENT PROPAGANDA LINE HAS BEEN GIVEN OFFICIAL C P G APPROVAL. ALTHOUGH GENERAL ILL- TREATMENT OF DETAINEES IS ALLEGED, THERE HAVE BEEN NO SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THOSE RELEASED AND THE MORE HOSTILE TONE ADOPTED AT THE END OF THE WEEK IS PERHAPS THE LEAST THAT WAS TO BE
EXPECTED.
4. TRAVELLERS HAVE REPORTED THAT ON 10 AND 11 JÚLY THE TWO OPPOSING FACTIONS. HELD SEPARATE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN CANTON AT
WICH THEY CLAIMED THEY WOULD ODEY A CALL FOR AN END. TO FACTIONAL FIGHTING MADE BY A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE KWANGTUNG REVOLUTIONARY COMMITTEE. DESPITE THESE CLAIMS A SERIOUS CLASH BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS IS SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE CITY ON 12 JULY.
FO PASS WASHINGTON AND CANBERRA.
SIR. D TRENCH.
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
[COPY TO CABINET OFFICE]
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ADVANCE COPIES SENT
C.0. H.K.D.
F.E.P.D.
P.S./LORD SHEPHERD
MR.WILKINSON
F.O. F.E.D.
O.L.A.
O.P.A.
I.R.D.
I.P.D.
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