RESTRICTED
Message received from N.C.N.A. on 30 November
98/21/1
"After we had paid a visit on the 18 and 19 November to see the 13 patriotic journalists who had been unreasonably imprisoned in Stanley and Laichikok respectively, we have now several points to raise with you and through you to the British authorities in Hong Kong. The British authorities in Hong Kong should carefully consider our points and straighten them out as soon as possible.
(1)
The food supplied by the prison authorities is still bad and inadequate. Rice of inferior quality and inaufficient quantities is given twice a day, each time about 6-7 spoonfuls which at the most is little more than one bowl of rice. This is far from enough. Sometimes sweet potatoes which are already stale are given as subsidiary foodstuffs. They are unconsumable. Such foodstuffs will certainly deteriorate the health of those who have gastric ailments and other stomach ailments. Being subjected for a long time to lack of adequate food and poor nourishment, our people are getting thin and weak, are often dizzy and suffering from many other diseases. Among our compatriots, several of them have fainting spells because of malnutrition and because of the fact that they have been confined in isolated cells for 8 months since the end of last year.
(2) Not a few of our patriotic compatriots were badly beaten up in the prison and they have not been receiving adequate care and treatment. For instance,
of Ta Kung Pao, was struck on one of his ears during his illegal arrest and he is still suffering from a discharge from the ear. This dangerous state of affairs is still causing him great suffering and impairs his hearing.
of the same paper has suffered a great deal on account of long detention in
SAFE
CARE
REGISTRY
1376
12.13
OUTWARD LETTER_
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