F.E.P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Hall
F.0.
F.E.D.
Overseas Labour Adviser Overseas Police Adviser
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
SECRET
bbbbb
SECRET
48%
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.
Lno 1406
SECRET
19 September 1967
RECENT IN
11. 53
A
19 SEP!..
1
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No.1406 of 19 September.
Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Canberra, Washington.
For Commonwealth Office and Cabinet Office for JIC from LIC.
My immediately preceding telegram: Part II.
Weekly assessment
2. Police action against Communist organisations and premises has
continued, in the course of which further quantities of inflamm- atory
posters and documents, bomb making materials and crude weapons were
seized. A number of members of Communist unions and a rural committee
member were arrested in connection with these seizures.
3. Two further inspections of Communist-controlled schools were carried
out without incident (my telegrams [gp. undec? 1385] and
\HUA 9/12 1395). HWA 9/17:
4. There are indications that the local Communists have been attempting
to promote a demonstration outside the airport on Friday 22 September to
coincide with the return from leave of his
It is of interest however that when
this Excellency the Governor. project was aired at one union meeting,
only one third of those present signified their willingness to
participate, this would appear to be another indication of the low
morale in local Communist circles, and the reluctance of the Communist
rank and file to risk coming into conflict with the security forces.
5. The PLA assisted by the militia appears to continue to exercise
strict control over movements in the zone north of the border though
there has been some increase in the number of illegal immigrants
crossing the frontier
14 entrants by land and 9 by sea
In Canton there have been
have been arrested in the past week. reports of renewed fighting on 14th
and 15th September and the PLA have extended to 24th September the date
by which arms must be handed
Further clashes in Canton could lead to in by the rival factions.
a build-up of refugees but providing the strength of the PLA in the
border zone is maintained and no restrictions placed on the use of its
weapons, it should be capable of preventing any attempt at mass exodus.
6.
There are signs of a modification of the CPG attitude towards the
There is evidence that CPO banking Colony
in economic matters. authorities are now willing to transact business
with banks outside the CPG group and are seeking to re-establish old
contacts in both
Food supplies have improved the banking and commercial world. markedly;
of the large number of pigs received, some came from Honan, and this
implies that the railway has been re-opened
It is reported that supplies of mainland rice are to to the north. be
resumed on a scale sufficient to make up for past arrears and
R
کالا ہیا
SECRET
вагод
'that if
>
SECRET
Hong Kong telegram No. 1406 to Commonwealth Office
-2--
that if necessary ocean going vessels will be used for delivery
(even though this would be in breach of the seamens strike). Finally,
there is evidence of determination to hold the Canton Fair, for which
invitations have already gone out to the Japanese. None of these reports
is authoritative nor is their tenor incapable of other interpretation.
Nonetheless, we feel that an economic thaw, however temporary, is
discernible and that increasing reliance will be placed on political
measures to solve the 'Hong Kong problem'.
7. In this climate it seems possible that water supplies will be resumed
on 1st October, though this will obviously be a difficult decision to
take, politically, either in Canton or in Peking. We think it unlikely
that rumours of damage
to the supply system through sabotage are true, since the whole lies
within the border zone where the PLA has throughout exercised firm
control.
8. The continuance of bomb incidents and small scale demonstra- tions,
despite the known wish of the local Communist hierarchy to lower the
level of confrtonation before 1st Dctober celebrations, is indicative of
the looseness of their control over militant elements. There are
indications from delicate sources that local Communist leaders realise
that the campaign of violence has failed and that they will have to
revert to more peaceful methods, such as ideological education and
appeals to patriotism, in their continued confrontation with Government.
This indicated change of policy could foreshadow a reversion to
something like the state of affairs in Hong Kong which obtained in the
immediate pre-confrontation period, though possibly with increased
political activity, particularly in the United Front' field. Meanwhile
the local Communists will attempt to consolidate their sympathisers and
to recoup the losses which they have suffered, both financial and
physical, as a result of confrontation.
It is clear from delicate sources that local Communist leaders realise
themselves that even to attain these limited objectives will present
prolonged and difficult problems.
F.0. please pass Canberra 96 and Washington 297. F.0. pass JIC
Immediate.
Sent 04362 19 September Recd. 0500Z 19 September
0.A.G.
[Repeated as requested]
[Passed to Cabinet Office]
FILES
0.0.
H.K. & W.I.D. "C"
F.O.
F.E.D.
I. & G.D.
F.E.P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
Overseas Labour Adviser Overseas Police Advisor Mr. Hohler
J.I.R.D.
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Hall
SECRET
}
TELEGRAM SECTION
HK WID
ت
YTC/1
Room 124 K.C.S.
Communications Department
Please send copies of the following telegram
* Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
[*delete as applicable
Кон u/or from Hong Kong
и
Кон
F
20/9/67
TO:
Hory Kory Dealing Theekly
Schnaps Fiste. Silnep's
RECE. ED IN
ARCH
Y- 63
(Initials)
215767
(Signed)
(Department)
(Date)
Action taken in Communications Department :
(Date)
20/9/67
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
THE APPROPRIATE ARCHIVES DIVISION FOR RETENTION
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
487
HW
Telegram unnumbered
20 September, 1967
UNCLASSIFIED
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
20 SEP 1967
Press report 200745.
Attention Glover.
12B1/17
Sitrep.
Twenty-nine people including five policemen were injured last
Tuesday night when a bomb was thrown at a police land-rover from the
roof top of a building in Nathan Road at its junction with Dundas Street
in Kowloon. Very slight damage was done to the land-rover and another
police lorry.
Two of the injured policemen as well as twenty two of the other
twenty four injured people have been detained in hospital for treatment.
Their condition was described as satisfactory by the hospital.
A suspected bomb was found earlier in Nathan Road near Nelson Street. It
was later detonated by army ammunition experts. There was also a crowd
of about eighty people some of them carrying inflammatory banners. They
dispersed on arrival of police.
Altogether thirteen people were arrested in connection with the
incidents in the area. Two of the arrested persons were among those
detained in the hospital. These two were among the four who were
arrested after a search by police who saw blood stains leading from the
street to a workers' children's school at thirty-seven Dundas Street
third floor and then on to the roof of the building.
A total of eleven suspected objects believed to be bombs were
found in the vicinity. of them two (repeat two) including the one thrown
at the police land-rover were genuine bombs.
The police had fired one shot from a Greener gun to disperse one
crowd of people and several gas shells to disperse some other small
groups of people.
A total of thirty-two reports of suspected bombs were received by
police on both sides of Harbour between eight o'clock in the morning and
midnight last Tuesday. Half of these were made in Kowloon where three
including the two mentioned previously were genuine. All sixteen on Hong
Kong Island were fakes.
A bomb explosion and a minor stone throwing incident were reported
last night in the border area at Sha Tau Kok. Four Gurkha soldiers and a
police constable on patrol were slightly injured. They carried on their
duty as usual.
PADO
/In
Hong Kong telegram unnumbered to Commonwealth Office
-2-
In two and a half hour search operation which began at four o'clock this
Wednesday morning in Kowloon police have detained a person and found a
quantity of inflammatory posters and some documents. During the
operation a number of premises including the Marine Department Chinese
Employees Union premises near the waterfront in Yaumati district were
searched.
Ends.
0.A.G.
Sent 010OZ 20 September, 1967
Recd 01502
20 September, 1967
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
0.0. H.K.W.I.D. "C"
I.G.D. News Dept
F.0. F.E.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
Overseas Labour Adviser
Overseas Police Adviser
bbbbb
4274
En Clair
Unnumbered
CLASSIFIED
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
488
(D.T.D.)
20 September 1967
PRESS
201830.
Attention Glover Sitrep.
M
The Colony was quiet today following last nights bombing incident in
which twenty nine people including five policemen were injured.
Colony had been relatively quiet for past two weeks until last nights
incident.
Police carried out another search today. They combed a Union premises
in Tsuen Wan in the New Territories this afternoon and seized some
documents. Thirty two (repeat thirty two) men and one woman were taken
to police station for questioning.
OAG
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O.
F.0.
H.K. Dept.
I & G.D.
News Dept.
F.E.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
O.L.A. O.P.A.
EEEEE
Sent 11402 20 September Recd 11442 20 September
распо
RECE. ARCH
BOWER, COTTON & BOWER,
SOLICITORS,
CHRISTOPHER WALTER BOWER. NORMAN STANLEY WAGSTAFF. HUGH MONTGOMERY
CAMPBELL. TREVOR HARTIN ALDRIDGE.
JOHN MICHAEL ARTHUR TALBOT,
Dear Sir,
TELEPHONE: 01 - 242 8341
Dunner JRV/YGE.
YOUR ACP
489
4. BREAM'S BUILDINGS,
CHANCERY LANE,
LONDON, E.C.4.
20th September, 1967.
re: Eric Blackburn, Esq.
For the Attention of Mr. H.W.Gaminara
We refer to our telephone conversation with Kr. Gaminara of today. We
confirm that we are acting for Mr. Eric Blackburn, a Civil Servant, and
Superintendent of Police and Justice of the Peace for Hong Kong, where
he is presently stationed.
Our client's wife resides in England.
On the 25th August, 1966 Mr. Justice Orr made two Orders with regard to
Michael Elliott Blackburn, a child of the marriage ordering that the
child remain in the interim custody of Mr. Blackburn, and that Mr.
Blackburn be at liberty to remove the child from the jurisdiction of
this Court to Hong Kong.
Accordingly after this our client took Michael back with him to
Hong Kong where the child lived with him until, in July of this year, it
was arranged between Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn that Michael came to England
to stay with his Mother during his school holidays.
This was on the express understanding and written undertaking of
Mrs. Blackburn that the child should be returned at the end of the
holidays.
Notwithstanding this, she did not return Michael and has since
refused to do so,through her Solicitors, indicating that her reason for
this was that the situation in Hong Kong is such that it is unsafe for a
child to be there.
Our client denies that the situation is unsafe.
We are applying to the Vacation Judge tomorrow for an Order to
enforce the return of the child and Counsel has advised that it would
assist, if we could have a letter from your department stating that
there is no reason why the child should not for reasons of safety in the
colony be returned to his father at
The Secretary,
Commonwealth Office
-1-
вар
/contà..
490
JRV/YGE.
20th September, 1967.
this stage.
We trust that the above gives some outline of the situation and we
should be very grateful if we could have such a letter from you before
the hearing tomorrow morning.
We shall of course attend at your offices personally to collect
the letter.
The Secretary,
The Commonwealth Office,
Hong Kong Department,
Dependent Territories Division, Curtis Green Building, Whitehall, S.W.1.
-2-
Yours truly
нив
490
Bower
Leltes to Messrs. Bower, Colton a
H. Bream's Building,
Chancy have,
E.C. 4.
Gentlemen,
Andraded etc. to
fo
letter JRV
TRY/YEE of the the
I prefer to your
20 September concerning Mr Evic Blackburn.
2.
No reason
He is confirment
فير
Been Chart
the child of Mr Blackburn, for
mason why masons of safeting of
hom
Hong Kong,
should not be returned
1ŏ
his
faler at
this stage.
I am
elt.
As
20.9.67
agreed with fir Francis Harchamadas.
20.9.57
HWB1/17
490
2 September, 1967.
Gentlemen,
I um directed by Er. Secretary Thomson to refer to your letter JRV/YGE
of the 20th September concerning Mr. Eric Blackburn.
2. No reason is seen why the child of Mr. Blackburn, for reasons of
safety in Hong Kong, should not be returned to his father at this stage.
I am,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
PA
wil
Hessrs. Power, Cotton and Bower,
4, Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
LONDON, E.C./
KLI.
R. 3rd.
Pl. embody in main
file. AAS ARG
5.
480
604.
Cypher/Cat.A
SECRET
T?
491
PRIORITY HONG KONG
TO
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(D.T..
Telbo. 1421
21 September 1967
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVE", 63 22 SEP126/
1/17
SECRET
Addressed Commonwealth Office telegram No. 1421
of 21 September.
Repeated for information to Paris.
Paris telegram No. 903 to Foreign Office:
Hw/21/17
Chinese Policy.
I am sure that you will not give undue weight to
M. Paye's gloomy prognostications about Hong Kong, which he has not
visited for a considerable time. Basically, he seems to over-estimate
the ability and desire of Peking to control the situation here. It is
now four months since the C.P.G. first came out in support of the local
Communists' "demands", and there has since been ample opportunity by
intimidation and propaganda to subvert the Chinese population. Instead,
the local Communists' campaign has been haphazard and ill-directed; and
there is a good deal of evidence that they have been dissatisfied with
the amount of assistance they have received from across the border. Far
from the Chinese population coming gradually under Communist control, it
is clear (as for example circulation figures for the local pro-Communist
Press indicate) that the Communists have been steadily losing support.
The present bomb campaign, which fluctuates in intensity from week to
week, is disagreeable, but it is having little effect on the daily life
of the Colony: indeed, one of the principal dangers at the moment is
tuat Chinese bystanders tend to assemble at the scene of bomb incidents
as if they were watching a firework display so that unnecessary
casualties result.
2.
At present the principal threat to the Colony appears to be the risk
of long-term economic stagnation caused by reluctance to invest while
conditions remain unsettled. There are, however, various indications
(see paragraph 6 of my telegram No.1406) that, contrary to M.Paye's
suggestion, the Communists are now beginning to count the cost of their
campaign here and are making efforts once again to build up their
earnings in Hong Kong. It is possible that this is only a temporary
phenomenon connected with their wish to gain broad support for their
celebrations of the 1 October and to encourage visitors from abroad to
the Canton Autumn Trade Fair. However, if the policy of reviving trade
with Hong Kong is pursued, it will become more difficult subsequently
for the Communists to revert to the aim of making the Colony an
"economic desert", and to encourage terrorist activities that might have
the same effect.
0.A.G.
Please pass Paris as my telegram No. M572.
Sent 0909Z/21 September 1967 Read. 09172/21 September 1967
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION G.0. H.K. Dept. F.0.
F.E.P.D.
SSSSS
F.E.D.
D.D. & P.U.S.D. News Dept
SECRET "POGO
LAST
F
En Clair
لداتا
PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 1423
SSIFIED
21 September, 1967
(D.T.D.)
492.
Washington
Addressed to C.0. telegram No. 1423 of 21 September. Repeated for
information to:
(455)
POLAD Singapore Canberra.
Sitrep for period 140800 to 210800.
My telegram No. 1361.
In general bomb activity calmed down during the period of the moon
festival, 18 September, but flared up again on the 19th - 20th.
2.
There were 299 bomb reports during the week of which 47 were genuine and
252 false alarms or hoaxes. I suspected terrorist was killed and 17
police, 5 military, 7 suspects and 33 members of the public injured. On
16th an Army Warrant Officer engaged on bomb disposal was injured by an
explosion at Tsuen Wan. In the evening of 19th a crowd of 50-100 persons
gathered on Nathan Road in the Mong Kok District of Kowloon. While the
police were dealing with the crowd a bomb was thrown injuring five
police and 24 civilians. A number of hoax bombs were found in the area,
and a real bomb thrown at a police party. 13 persons were arrested and a
nearby left-wing school raided.
3. On the evening of 20th, there were a number of demonstrations at
various places in Kowloon and Hong Kong, crowds of varying sizes waving
banners and shouting slogans were dispersed by the police firing gas and
baton shells. Bombs were again thrown at groups of police examining
suspected bombs. A policeman, four prisoners and nine members of the
public were injured. In the new territories a suspected terrorist was
killed when the bomb he was carrying exploded.
4.
Political broadcasts at Low U continued. At Sha Tau Kok on 17th
there was more stoning while sappers were fixing wire protection to
windows. At 192200 a Gurkha patrol in the Sha Tau Ko1 area was attacked
by a bomb thrown from Chinese territory, one British officer, three
Gurkha 0.Rs and one policeman were slightly injured. Elsewhere the
position has been quiet.
5. Supplies of pork from China for the week, which included the
mid-autumn festival on the 18th, were almost back to normal with a total
of 25,000 head. Since 14th, supplies have arrived at a greatly increased
rate. Pigs are still coming from Honan and on the 17th 3,170 arrived
from Hupeh Province, the first since January. The majority of pigs come
by road through Man Kam To, having been unloaded from the railway at Po
Kat North of Shum Chun. As a result of these increased supplies, prices
are now falling.
6.
year.
The total number of railway freight wagons which arrived between 11-18
September was 89 compared with 800 during the similar period last 164
river vessels arrived from China during the same period with 7993 tons
of food and 5967 tons of general cargo. This is far short of the normal
figures and is believed to be due to a bottleneck in Canton.
O.A.G.
Sent 09492 21 September Recd 0955Z 21 September
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION C.0. H.K. Dept.
uuuuu
F.O.
I. and G. Dept.
455
F.E. and P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
News Dept
F
F.E.D.
Overseas Police Adviser Overseas Labour Adviser
4900 4909 613'
PAD
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63]
2-2 SEP1967
Hub!/17
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
I fo
гор TOP CO
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Telno 1424
CONFIDENTIAL
21 September 1967
493
ни
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No.1424 of 21 September.
Repeated for information to POLAD Singapore, Washington and Canberra.
My immediately preceding telegram.
Sitrep as at 210800.
Some degree of coordination, however loose, must be taking place between
the military student and workers group who have been responsible for the
recent upsurge of demonstrations and bomb throwing.
There appear to have been three such groups active in the urban areas.
It is possible that this renewed activity is designed to mark the
Governor's return. On the other hand, the division between the Communist
leadership and the militants and the former's plans for a peaceful
celebration of 1 October anniversary may be shattered. Despite the
increased militancy in the streets, evidence continues to accrue of
attempts to normalize commercial relations.
2. It may well be that we are now facing a split in the opposition
between the aggressive younger elements and the more senior and
conservative Peking oriented higher direction.
(Please pass Washington telegram No.300 and Canberra telegram No.99)
0.A.G.
Sent 10012 21 September Recd.1000Z 21 September
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O.
H.K.D.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
I.G.D.
F.E.P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
News Dept.
F.0.
F.E.D.
O.P.A.
VVVVV
O.L.A.
492..
#LF.
1000
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN |ARCHIVES Nɔ,63 22 JEP:967
1WB1/17
F
Bl. x.
Dept.
YTC/1
TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.S.
Communications Department
TO:
• Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
delete as applicable
и
/n from Hong Kong
21/sept/67
"Press Report 210730
(Initials)