96575/33/50
6/7
16th November, 1950.
I write to inform you of our concern
United States Information Services in Hong Kong-
“bain netivities of
Iou will
bar that, following #emner's conversations last May with Berrett State Department, Hong Kong, as well as most other Colonial territories, was informed that as a result of the agreement of the North Atlantic Treaty Fouers that thay should co-ordi
their information services,
aloser co-operation was envisaged between the British and United States Information Services in South-East Asia. Hong Kong was also inforand that the Americans had been unde fully of the reasons for not in- areasing their staff in Hong Kong and that embarrassment to liong Kong
Offioar resulting from their activities vas not stiaipated. Addinistering the Government, in his sering No.104 Top Gearet of 26th August, replied that subject to certain conditions, he forestw nɔ special difficulty in according to the U.5,1,S. much additional co- operation as they might require. Copies of this correspondence were sent to your Information Policy Department on the 13th Soytamber,
2. I am odery to say that we have very good evidence that the U.S.I.S. are not keeping to their side of the bargain but are causing
I enclose considerable embarrassment to the Government of Hong Kong. for your information on this subject, a copy of Hong Kong Saving 10.13 Top Secret of the 13th Outobar.
In the first place, you will see that the 0.5.1.8. is amında embarrassment by distributing magazines and pamphlets in Chinome not only locally but in China, and that Haters, Goodfriend and Halaon have made it olear that the U.S.1,5, wink use Hong Kong as a base for further distribution of auch material into China. this does not accord with the spirit of the officer Administaring the Government' # proviso that the activities of the UV.§.1.0. in Hong Kong should be con fined to the publicising of Amtriom Institutions and the exposition of American policy by overt moms. It looks to us as though the American authorities still do not appreciate the peculiarly delicate position of Hong Kong, in spite of the explanations given to then last Bay and we should be grateful if you would explain to them again that it is not our policy that Hong Kong should be used as a base for propaganda to China and that categorical instructions to this effect
should
B. Ashley-Clarke, Esq., C.M.G.