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SECRET
SUBMISSION
ACTION AGAINST THE COMMUNIST PRESS IN HONG KONG
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Problem
The suspension last month of three pro-Communist newspapers in Hong Kong has been followed by the appearance of single sheet Gestetnered pamphlets ("mosquito" broadsheets). These broadsheets have been used, inter alia, to indicate targets for assassination and to issue terrorist warnings, and the 0.A.G. considers that action must be taken to deal with them (the attached Hong Kong telegram No.1328 refers).
2. The problem is to decide what form such action should take having regard to past experience of reactions in Peking to measures previously taken to deal with the Communist Press in Hong Kong.
Recommendation
3. I recommend that the Governor should be authorised to promulgate Emergency Regulations prohibiting the production, distribution or possession of "mosquito" broadsheets. A parallel submission is being made to the Foreign Secretary. A draft telegram is submitted.
Background and Argument
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4. We do not believe that the Peking authorities were directly responsible for initiating the present disturbances in Hong Kong, but the Communists in the Colony have received and are continuing to receive very considerable propaganda support and encouragement from Peking. For this reason alone the Chinese Peoples Government (C.P.G.) is extremely sensitive to any measures taken to curb the activities of the Communist Press in Hong Kong. The sacking of the British Mission in Peking on the This action against the 22nd August is clear evidence of this attitude. British Mission was the direct and immediate result of an ultimatum from the Chinese concerning action taken by the Hong Kong authorities to suspend three pro-Communist newspapers (albeit minor newspapers) and to arrest and prosecute the persons responsible for their editing, printing
and publication.
5. The Communist Press in Hong Kong consists of a few C.P.G.-owned or backed newspapers and a number of independently-owned newspapers following a pro-Communist line. Throughout confrontation they have published vitriolic and inflammatory propaganda, inciting to violence
This was the weapon and to the overthrow of our authority in the Colony. Peking selected to give encouragement to the local Communists in the expectation that public opinion would be roused or intimidated into
SECRET
/supporting