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CHINA 3 HONGKONG, ADD ROUNDUP PTR 1525

MORE UNIFORMED COMMUNIST GUERILLAS TODAY MARCHED INTO THE TOWN OF SHA-TAU-KOK, THROUGH WHICH HONGKONG'S EASTERN FRONTIER RUNS. COMMUNIST IRREGULARS OCCUPIED THE TOWN YESTERDAY AND HOISTED THE GOLD-STARRED RED FLAG.

SEVEN MILES TO THE WEST RETREATING NATIONALISTS TRUDGED. WEARILY THROUGH THE MAIN BORDER TOWN OF SHAMCHUN IN A BID TO ESCAPE ACROSS THE PEARL RIVER TO TERRITORY NOT YET TAKEN OVER BY THE COMMUNISTS.

STRONG HONGKONG POLICE PATROLS WATCHED THE 17-MILE FRONTIER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INFRINGEMENTS OF BRITISH NEUTRALITY.

THEY LET THROUGH THOUSANDS OF CHINESE PEASANTS SEEKING TO AVOID NATIONALIST "PRESSGANGS" LOOKING FOR COOLIES AND BEARERS.

NATIONALIST TROOPS WERE ALLOWED OVER THE FRONTIER IF THEY DISCARDED ARMS AND UNIFORMS.

REUTER 1621

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