2.
(0)
(g)
Recommendation
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agreed but if we do not act on either front Communists will retain initiative.
the Foreign Office has been attempting to improve relations with China since 1950 - without much
success.
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No single action taken by itself can ever be regarded as essential to maintain law and order. Nevertheless, it is considered that some action to curtail the communist press, combined with other moves, is essential if Governmcat is not to steadily lose ground while the Communists are permitted to consolidate and reorganise, There is little doubt that eventually we will be forced into action unless Government is prepared to abdicate its authority; it would seem logical therefore, that such action should be taken in our own time and not when we are forced into it. Previous experience has shown that lack of action is interpreted by the communiste as weakness and will only make them more determined to bring Government to its knees.
As we all realise, there are strong grounds for and against action to bring the communist press within the law. Timing, either way, is of paramount importance and certainly there is a need at all times for flexible and realistic thinking. Our last re-appraisal opted for action the factors brought out in your paper are not new ones and, in my view, they still point towards the need to grasp this "nettle", if we are to maintain the initiative. Not unnaturally a major concern is the possible reaction from China
however, of necessity, this should not be allowed to inhibit us from maintaining pressure on the communists which appears essential if we are to contain the threat they pose to the Hong Kong Government.
c.c.
Hon. C.S. Hon. A.G.
P.A.
D.S.
D.I.S.
Sec. Governor's Committee. (2)
Copy No. 1 to P.S. to H.E. the Governor Copy No. 2 to H.E. the C.B.F.
GAR/jc
(B. F. Slevin) Director of Special Branch for Commissioner of Police.
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