but we should

de pratique Par Hopsan's agent

assessment

(Q1543) 49178/8177 2MP 2/61 AT&S. 768

File References

virulent and inflammatory material with

apparent impunity. It would give the impression that we were afraid to tackle

that section of the press, no doubt lead

to even greater excesses on their part, and boost Communist morale.

3. We believe therefore that if we start

Comnuus V action against the press now we shall

almost certainly have to be prepared to

act equally firmly, and soon, against

owned

C.P.G. controlled press, or face possibly

humiliating setback.

[unchuchua??

4. Would you nonetheless feel that, even

on this basis, f***xxthat advantages of proceeding against Communist press outweigh

disadvantages of allowing them to continue

5. As regards your paragraph 7, the thinking hitherto has, as you know, been that if we had to act against the press

it would be preferable to do so under

Emergency Regulations rather than under existing law, for reasons given in your

see parajuple & of our Filgram No.1038 paragraph

From point of view of

Kere "provocation" to Peking we feel that the difference between the two courses would in present circumstances be only marginal,

There is also the consideration that if

you proceeded under the existing law and this proved unsatisfactory, it might then be that much more difficult to introduce Emergency Regulations for the purpose.

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EXİSKİNgXkaw

25

May

6. As seen from here, therefore, we are

inclined to think that balance of advantage would lie in favour of proceeding under Emergency Regulations unless you still felt that it would for local reasons be better to act under existing law. Grateful your comments, and to know what form action under Emergency Regulations

would take.

7. In light of your reply we will submit

at once to Ministers.

(Passed D.S.Ao for repetition

to Peking

and POZAD Singapore),

A

!

NOTHING TO BE WRItten in tHIS MARG'N - *

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