74095/7
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(4)
This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on].
Cypher/OTP
POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION
FRO NAMING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Sir R. Stevenson, No. 736
31st May, 1949
D. 2.20 p.m. 31st May, 1949
R. 3.49 p.m. 31st May, 1949
Repeated to Hong Kong and Singapore.
PRIORITY SECR IT
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 736 of 31st May, repeated for information to Hong Kong and Singapore.
Hong Kong telegram No. 488 to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Buxton Press.
I agree as to the difficulty of enunciating a definite policy while the situation is so full of imponderable factors and the reasons for and against
forceful attitude seem so evenly weighted. It is there- fore inevitable that we should have to adopt at the present stage a somewhat empirical and opportunist line based however on the following general principles.
(a) e are prepared to deal with Buxton in a friendly spirit where it is reasonable and commercially beneficial for us to do so provided we do not (repeat not) thereby compromise certain standards (my telegram No. 657 to Foreign Office refers) and
(b) we are prepared to take a firm stand where we are satisfied that this is necessary but avoiding being gratuitously provocative.
2.
Problem of undesirable Chinese political groups and the subversive activities of their news agencies is of course particularly delicate. The political repercussions in China of repressive action by the Hong Kong Government are undoubtedly formidable though in that event may prove to be less than we apprehend. In any case I consider that this government should not hesitate to take proper action against the New China News Agency if any publication should constitute a flagrant breach of the peace or be dangerously in excess of proper free comment.
3.
Any precipitate move in this respe, however, might jeopardise the position of British press organs in Shanghai
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