GUIDANCE TELFGRAN
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ANG 23.8.67.
R. 318
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58
The tone of the Communist Pross in Hong Kong
has steadily deteriorated since the beginning of the
disturbances early in May. The Hong Kong authorities
have refrained for as long as possible from taking
ss in an attempt to
sotion against the fam
it
avoid the danger of further exacerbating relations
with China. But the time came when it was considered
that such action could no longer be deferred. The
reasons for this conclusion werei-
A, Galsworten)
(a) the Press was one of the few remaining
weapons left intact for the Communiste
to use since the firm moaaures recently
taken by the Police to deal with the
disturbancos had given the forocs of law
and order the upper hand &
(b) the stream of seditious and libellous
statements, incitement to violence and
disaffection was the main driving force
sustaining the hard core Communistes
there was also the danger that it might
begin to affect public morale. Unless
action was taken against the Pross, it
would not be possible to progress towards
a return to normality;
(e) ne prospect was seen that the Commundat
Press would moderate its activities unless
action was taken against it. It had been
allowed very considerable licence and in
the interests of maintaining the rule of
law and the confidenc of the public,
action conEⱭ"TIO
dolayed.
/2. It