(F 14190/1192/10)
CONFIDENTIAL
74001/28
180
M
WIT
Harry
seen by the 14 1/1/0
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
20th October, 1949
(174)
Dear Paskin,
24 OCT 1949
As you will remember, the Minister of Defence wrote on the 14th September to our Minister of State saying that instructions to avoid excessive publicity about the reinforcement of Hong Kong would be given to the Service authorities.
2 In a subsequent letter the Ministry of Defence have informed us that the Service Departments feel that the greatest need for guidance is in respect of the publicity issued locally in Hong Kong itself.
3 If you agree I think the Governor's attention should be drawn to the problem and to the dangers that misguided publicity can hold both for the Colony and for British interests in China as a whole.
4 Clearly the most important point that should be stressed not to the Governor (for he must know it) but by the Governor to those concerned is the avoidance of boastful or provocative statements of any kind.
The Communists in their propaganda have exercised a restraint about Hong Kong that for a
J. J. Paskin, Esq., C. M. G., M. C.,
Colonial Office.
/Chinese
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