Secretariat file No. 1170/478.
19
SAVINGRAM
To Secretary of State for the Colonies.
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date 25d May, 1948.
No. 33...
SECRET.
No.41.
(R) British Ambassador, Nanking. No.22
Consul General, Canton. Commissioner General,
South East Asia.
No.
156.
The following is a political appreciation for Hong Kong for the two weeks ending May 17th, 1948.
1.
In
The Chinese press has closely followed the proceedings in Nanking regarding the election of the President and Vice- President. Considerable prominence was given to the victory of Li Tsung-jen over Sun Fo for the post of Vice-President. general, however, apathy prevails, and there is no expectation of any revolutionary change in the management of affairs in Nanking. The pro-Communist press continues to pour scorn on
the whole proceedings.
2.
The local press continues to show great interest in the case of the four Chinese youths who crossed over from the New Territories into Chinese Territory, and were arrested and executed by the Chinese Military as Communist spies. The information obtained tends to prove that the four youths in question may well have been Communists, and the local reation in the New Territories is to the effect that if you play with fire you are likely to get burnt. Since this case there have been several other reports of Chinese youths disappearing from their homes in the Colony, and proceeding over the border to join the Chinese Communists who infest the mountainous areas across the border.
3.
The foregoing suggests that Communist efforts to gain control of the minds of the young in Hong Kong are being intensified and are having some success. There are also indications, which cannot be further elaborated at present, that a meeting of influential Communist leaders may take place in Hong Kong shortly with a view to intensification of Communist activity in South China..
4.
The disturbed state across the border is revealed by a shooting affray which took place around Deep Bay in the New Territories on May 4th and 5th, when the British Police clashed with a large gang of bandits who had come over from the Chinese side.
These bandits were well armed with machine gund, rifles and revolvers. The incursion of the gang into British Territory was for the purpose of attacking a rival bandit chieftan already driven out of part of his territory. A woman bandit, who was wounded, declared that she was a political worker for the "Democratic Allied Army" which was connected with the Communists. Other members of the gang are reported to have close contact with Marshal Li Chai Sum. These reports are being investigated.
5.
A further example of the disturbed conditions across the border is afforded by the attack by "Communist bandits" upon a Chinese Maritime Customs Station on the Chinese side of Deep Bay on May 12th. In this case three C.M.C. personnel were killed. It is understood that the whole of this area is now to be placed under control of the Bocca Tigris Marines, who are regarded as an efficient force. It is hoped that this will result in an improvement in general security position there.
6.
In the last two weeks, the Kowloon City squatters have received encouragement in the form of not inconsiderable
/donations