8 September 1967
I
1
UNCLASSIFIED
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 1361 of
8 September,
Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Washington and Canberra.
(uvi)
SITREP for the period 041200
My telegram No. 1345.
-
081800.
There has been a definite lull in activity.
The frontier
has been quiet and the number of genuine bombs and even reports has gone
down although there are still enough to keep the general public,
otherwise fairly confident, on edge. Food supplies continue to be
erratic but, despite high prices and shortages, there is no sign of
discontent on these grounds nor have the Communist sought to exploit
them.
2.
Out of 181 bomb reports up to 080800, only 16 were genuine. Two of these
were placed in the basement of the South China Morning
This
is the first Post, one exploding causing negligible damage.
There were no casualties attack on an English language newspaper. from
bombs. Two more people have been arrested bringing the total arrests of
those implicated in the bomb campaign to over thirty, Another "factory"
has been found, with evidence of a recent pre- mature explosion which,
it is reported, injured three people. have been further minor recoveries
of fuses and detonators.
3.
There
The frontier has been quiet except for propaganda broadcastą which
have referred to the Sha Tau Kok anti traitor squad as being responsible
for the bomb in the Gurkha 0.P. and have also attacked the building of
the new frontier fence. On two occasions, a Chinese has crossed into
British territory and delivered an inflammatory oration using a loud
hailer.
4. A Communist school was inspected without incident on 7 September. The
Education Department Inspectors were received at least with courtesy, if
not with enthusiasm, and there were no incidents. No inflammatory
material, even Communist newspapers, was on display although Chairman
Mao and extracts from his thoughts were displayed.
5.
Emergency regulations have been enacted and all fireworks have The
intention been withdrawn and centralised under military guard. is to
destroy them.
0.A.G.
Sent 0949Z
09492 8 September Recd 0955Z 8 September
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45694089492
ED IN
No. 63
11 SEPI967
HWB 1/1
NNNNN
TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.S.
Communications Department
K
الله
- Please send copies of the following tele fam
с
YTC/1
* Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
[*delete as applicable
TO:
W/N from Hong Kong. 9/9/67
Hong Kong Sukney
Daily.
(Signed)
+
(Department)
(Date)
(Initials)
Action taken in Communication Department:
takey in Some
(Date)
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
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F
CONFIDENTI AL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 1362
8 September 1967
456
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No.1362 of 8 September.
Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Washington and Canberra.
My immediately preceding telegram.
The present lull seems very likely to be a prelude to celebrations
of 1st October anniversary which are expected to begin in the latter
half of September.
There is considerable evidence
that the Communists do not wish to expose themselves to police reprisals
during this period, possibly because they intend that many of their
proscribed leaders now in hiding shall marge for the celebrations and
they do not want to expose them unnecessarily to the risk of arrest.
2. The Communist Press has continued to fulminate against the iniquity
and illegality of the recent sedition trials. However, it is noticeable
that, in the last few days, they have toned down their comments so as
not to bring themselves within reach of the law. There was some
expectation that the inspection of the Communist schools would be
exploited by both staff and pupils to demonstrate their defiance of
government. The relatively low key of the present Communist Press line
and the lack of reaction during the school inspection both indicate that
the Communist hierarchy, which can effectively control both Press and
schools, is reluctant at this juncture to provoke any real trouble. On
the other hand, the bomb throwers who represent the more militant lower
echelons are unlikely to stop their activities entirely although a
decrease has already taken place.
Please pass to Washington as my telegram No.290 and Canberra as my
telegram No.90.
OAGHK
Sent 0956Z 8 September
Recd. 1002Z 8 September
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вадо
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
Sitrep 1.
8 September 1967
457
RECEIVED ARCHIVE
11 St ...
Attention Glover.
Hong Kong passes another peaceful day and no incident has so far been
reported.
Government continues to maintain initiative and today announces
new emergency regulations designed to deny Communist trouble makers use
of fireworks for making bombs. Under regulations it is an offence for
any persons not, repeat not holding a licence to store fireworks or to
be in possession of any quantity however small,
Maximum penalty or conviction is eight, repeat eight thousand dollars
fine or three, repeat three years imprisonment.
Soon after new regulations came into force, teams consisting of
officials of Mines Department, Police and Civil Aid Services visited
hundreds of shops throughout the colony including outlying islands to
collect fireworks.
No, repeat no accurate figure is yet available but it is estimated that
over thirty, repeat thirty tons have been with- drawn.
Compensation will be paid for licensed stocks.
In new territories Police and Army this morning carried out a
surprise search operation in a remote village north of Plover Cove
Reservoir.
Search was part of joint military exercise involving some fifty
policemen and two companies of First Battalion Sixth Queen Elizabeth Own
Gurkha Rifles assisted by three, repeat three helicopters and a landing
craft. A government spokesman said one object of exercise was to check
on reported Communist activities in area,
However no arrest and no seizures were made.
0600Z/9 September 1967
0.A.G.
Sent Recd.
0645/9 September 1967
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TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.8.
Communications Department
Please send copies of the following telegram
* Copy/les of the following telegram has/have been sent
[*delete as applicable
TO:
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Hong Kong - Daily & weekly Schepe distillation
(Initials)
(Signed)
(Department)
(Date)
Action taken in Communications Department :
D
(Date)
10/9/6/
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
THE APPROPRIATE ARCHIVES DIVISION FOR RETENTION
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Tel. Unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
Press.
091400 Sitrep One.
9 September 1967
458
;
Colony's four million people continued to go on with their daily life
with little more than a thought to situation in Hong Kong.
Majority do not (repeat not) get to know of odd bomb or two until they
read about it in newspapers or listen to radio news bulletins.
Only two bombs were discovered today Saturday but they disposed of by
ammunition experts.
There has been tremendous response from public following yesterday's
announcement of emergency regulations banning fireworks.
Response so good that Government teams have decided not (repeat not)
to visit small shops to collect fireworks. Small shopowners are
voluntarily handing in their stocks of fireworks a Government spokesman
said.
Legislative Councillor Fung Hon Chu (Repeat Fung Hon Chu) addressing
police passing out parade this morning praised police for their splendid
work in maintaining peace and good order in colony.
He told graduates that they should be firm and resolute in resisting
temptations in course of duty as Guardians of Law.
Officials of General Chamber of Commerce and T.D.C. disclosed
yesterday that Canadian businessmen are ready to go into joint ventures
in Hong Kong despite present dislocations.
"They are particularly enthusiastic about ventures involving semimade
products which will be shipped to Canada for final assembly" G.C.C.
official said money situation not (repeat not) so tight as believed.
Over two (repeat two) million dollars advanced last month Hong Kong
Building and Loan Agency to people buying their own homes.
Agency's business continuing to increase official said.
Ends.
Informs.
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TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.S.
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D'C'
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НК
Please send copies of the following telegram-
* Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
["delete as applicable
from Hong Kong
مداره
10/9
TO:
(Initials)
HIC. Sotryes
(Signed)
(Department}
(Date)
Action taken in Communications Department:
Dor.......
(Date)
------
سرور
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
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En Clair
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ル
TOP COPY
song
Telno
unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
Press
RECEIVED
10 September 1967
ARCH
11 SE ...
HWA IN
People mostly onlookers assembled in Gilliss Avenue in Hung Hom when a
suspected bomb was found.
A police party went to scene and dispersed most of crowd. But a group of
about fifty people threw bottles
No at police who fired one gas shell to break them up. repeat no one was
injured and there were no repeat no arrests more informs.
100725 Sitrep.
2. Attention Glover. Early this morning an explosive
device attached to an alarm clock was found outside Kwong
on bank at junction of Nga Tsin Wai Road with Nga Tsin Long Road.
3.
4.
It was detonated by an army ammunition expert.
New item Mr. Choi President of Chinese Manufacturers Association says
that there is nothing on present situation to warrant Japanese officials
or businessmen taking attitude that Colony is not safe for business.
5. He was commenting on newspaper reports that Japanese firms could not
take part in coming Silver Jubilee Exhibition of Hong Kong products on
grounds that terrorist activities here might jeopardise safety of
Japanese exhibitors.
6. These reports also suggested that Japanese authorities supported the
decision not to participate.
7.
Mr. Choi said if these reports were true they would represent a very
unfriendly and unreasonable attitude towards Hong Kong by Japanese.
8. He said local industrialists were seriously concerned at this very
surprising attitude.
9. However Mr. Choi said despite this the Chinese Manufacturers
Association would still welcome any Japanese representation at this
year's exhibition. Ends.
O.A.G.
Sent 0450/10 September Recd 0350/10 September
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
CO H.K. & W.I.D. 'C' I & G. Department News Department
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Overseas Police Adviser
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
Unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED.
10 September, 1967
TOP COPY
460
Press.
100705 Sitrep.
Attention Glover.
HUA 1/1
Police in Kowloon last night arrested three men following a
demonstration in Nathan Road at its junction with Soy Street.
A crowd of about one to two hundred people had gathered at road
junction and began to shout slogans just after seven o'clock. They were
joined by another crowd of one hundred others.
Crowd broke up on arrival of police. No (repeat no) fire-arms nor gas
were used.
In addition to three detained men police seized ten banners with
inflammatory slogans which had been hung on railings in centre of Nathan
Road.
A photographer of a Chinese weekly magazine who was covering the
event was assaulted by a man in crowd and had his camera snatched from
him.
A police car which arrived at scene was surrounded by crowd as
photographer was being chased by some demonstrators. However crowd
dispersed on arrival of another police car.
Photographer was later taken to hospital for treatment to injuries
received on his chest.
About two hours later a police patrol car in Tin Kwong Road at its
junction with Ma Tau Chung Road near Ruby Theatre saw a crowd of about
forty people putting up a red banner on railings in centre of road.
Crowd threw some objects at police patrol. One of these was a bomb but
no (repeat no) one appeared to be injured.
Demonstrators dispersed into crowd of cinema goers.
Search was made in vicinity and seven bombs were found. Four were
detonated on spot while others were disarmed and removed by army
ammunition experts. There were no (repeat no) arrests.
As this was happening a crowd of about two hundred collected.
Sent 0842Z/10 September Recd 04342/10 September
O.A.G.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION C.O. H.K. & W.I.D.'C'
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En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Unnumbered
11 September, 1967.
UNCLASSIFIED
TOP COPY
461
Press.
110700.
Attention Glover.
Train services were disrupted for three and a half hours yesterday
evening when three suspected bombs were found placed near the railway
tracks at the northern portal of Beacon Hill Tunnel between Shatin and
Yaumati in Kowloon. On examination, one of them turned out to be a
genuine bomb and was subsequently detonated. Railway traffic soon
returned to normal,
detonated.
During the day, a total of six bombs were found and
At nine-thirty yesterday morning, fifty people demonstrated in Jordan
Road, Kowloon. They shouted slogans and distributed inflammatory
pamphlets. The crowd dispersed on the arrival of police, No arrest was
made and no tear gas was used.
At nine o'clock last night, two men were arrested in Des Voeux Road,
West, on Hong Kong Island. They were amongst a group of forty to fifty
people seen marching in the street. Inflammatory posters were found on
them when searched. will be charged with joining in an unlawful
assembly.
END Inform.
They
O.A.G. Sent 0713 11 September. Recd.23442 11 September.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES $13.63 11 SEP1ve/
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1
I
I
En Clair
TOP COPY
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
Tel unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
Press 112100.
11 September, 1967
Attention Glover.
HW
Sitrep. Colony was relatively quiet today Monday following minor
disturbances over weekend. Eighteen men and one woman arrested by Police
in afternoon raid on union premises in Kowloon.
Three suspected bombs, one timing device, forty sharpened water pipes,
six poles, twelve bottles of acid and number of spring knives and
daggers were seized in raid.
No (repeat no) explosions were reported today but three bombs were found
in different parts of Colony this morning.
Majority of population taking inconveniences caused by bombs and
demonstrations in their stride.
462
Once deserted streets of Colony now (repeat now) gradually being filled
by people again though they are not staying out very late.
Visitors to Hong Kong expecting chaotic conditions are surprised to find
that life is going on normally.
Tram and ferry services running normally but buses on both sides of
harbour still finding difficulty in resuming normal services, At present
bus services only fifty per cent normal more informs.
O.A.G.
Sent 2224 11 September, 1967 Recd 1450Z 11 September, 1967
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION H.K.W.I.D. "C"
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bbbbb
PAR
ARCUT
12 SLP196/
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1
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 63
12 SEP1967
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH ORFICE (DT D✈
Telno 1372
SECRET
11 September 1967
TC CO
HW
463
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No.1372 of 11 September.
Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Washington and Canberra,
For Commonwealth Office and Cabinet Office for JIC Following from LIC.
The principal features of the Communist confrontation between September
4 and 11 have been:-
(a) the continuation of bomb incidents but with a marked decrease during
the first five days of the week.
In all 357 bomb reports were received of which 50 proved to be genuine.
47 of these were detonated by disposal teams whilst 3 exploded on
impact. Two bombs were thrown at police premises, and or slightly
injured a police officer. There were no known instances of the use of
gelignite. 2 persons have been arrested for possession. of live bombs.
(b) Minor short lived street demonstrations by students over
the weekend, designed mainly for propaganda purposes, as illustrated by
the display of banners and distribution of leaflets, in protest over the
death of local Communist "martyrs". This upsurge of student activity
coincides with the new school term and follows the publication of
biographies of alleged "martyrs" in the local Communist Press.
(c)
Meetings held by a number of Communist unions and organisations to
discuss CPG National Day (1st October) c celebrations which begin on
20th September. Reliable sources report that the organisers of the
various functions intend to stay within the law, presumably so that the
celebrations will not be subject to police action. Some of the union
leaders, who have been
in hiding since mid July, have been present at some of the preparatory
meetings.
(d) The continuation of anti-British propaganda in the local
Communist Press but in a somewhat milder vein. The conviction of the
proprietors and the printer of local pro-Communist newspapers and the
introduction of emergency regulations banning the possession of
fireworks were the main targets of criticism. An Education Department
Inspection of a pro-Communist school was also denounced. Much space
continued to be devoted to biographies of local Communist "martyrs",
possibly as a counter to the adverse public reaction to the deaths of
Lam Bun and two children recently.
(e) The continued partial disruption of fapd and other
SECRET
/supplies
SECRET
Hong Kong telegram No. 1372 to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.)
-2-
(f)
supplies from China by road and rail. Normal quantitie. of food (pigs
apart) continued to arrive by sea and prices remain, generally firm.
A quiet, more relaxed atmosphere at the frontier. Farm workers have
crossed to carry out their daily work in British territory peacefully.
The PLA have withdrawn to their normal posts and camps and have been
carrying out normal training. There are indications that
the PLA have calmed down militants and by verbal persuasion have
prevented demonstrations from taking place at crossing points. PLA
control of the border appears to have become more effective during the
past few days.
9
2. Police action against Communist organisations and premises has
continued, in the course of which further quantities of inflammatory
posters, documents and weapons were seized. A number of persons
including union members were arrested and charged with offences relating
to these seizures. Νο prominent local Communists were detained during
the week.
3. During the week the second and third group of defendants brought to
trial on charges of sedition and related offences arising from articles
in the three recently suspended independent pro Communist newspapers
were convicted. The prosecution of all three newspapers is now complete.
Reaction so far, both local and from China, has been surprisingly milą.
Delicate sources report that Communist newspapers circles rè planning to
replace the three supressed papers by re-publishing a defunct local
newspaper or by establishing a new newspaper in Macau for circulation in
Hong Kong. These proposals may indicate that inflammatory "mosquito"
newsheets are not regarded by the Communists as a successful substitute
for newspapers.
It
is perhaps significant that few of these nowsheets have me to notice
during the week.
On 7 August the first inspection of a Communist school on lines
prescribed by the Director of Education, (telegram 1351 refers) was
carried out, in a comparatively cooperative atmosphere. No inflammatory
matter was seen but a number of portraits
of Mao and quotations from his works were displayed in classrooms and
offices. So far the general reaction of Communist school authorities to
inspection notices indicates that, whilst insisting on their right to
propagate the thoughts of Mao, they do not intend to openly defy the
conditions contained in the letter sent by the Director of Education.
5. New emergency regulations were introduced during the week,
prohibiting possession of fireworks. This measure was taken to deny
Communist easy access to local stocks of gunpowder which has been the
major explosive of their "home made" bombs. All licensed stocks were
subsequently withdrawn to storage points under government control and an
appeal to members of the public to surrender private stocks has so far
met with good response.
6. Delicate sources have reported that a leading personality in
publishing circles is now (com rary to his line of a fortnight
/ago
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& Maths 9/12
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