CO537-5116 — Page 71

1

(I their distribution in the Colony

source by prosecution under the relevant

Apart form the local considerations ordinances. It would mereaves be appear

anomalous and might cause adverse oritieiom

if, without there being a definite threat

to security in the Colony, the Hong Kong

branch were closed down for publication

Leven one so falling as of a particular item (e. the Amethyst

had

report) which might also have been released

hand

by the London branch and have appeared

in sections of the press here.

3. If however on the other hand you

wished to close down the N.C.M.A. not

because of a specific threat to public

security but on general grounds as a gesture

3. Furthermore, closure of NCNA in Hong Kong against Communism, this would be less

open to retaliation and could be more

did not

effectively represented publicly if it weIS take place before

postponed until the Chinese Communist authorities had closed

set against the Reuter agency in Shanghai

North China Daily News. I

would of course Bg

and the

Zesirable for closure in these circumstances.

to be coneexted here with the Foreign Office

and with the Ambas: ador Nanking.

Renter

(36) 4

4. message from Hong Kong Intrequent of wanning & Age

& Agency. supperts that Agency

ww

tonying

deliberately of peroke the Hing Key

나

Premment to action against it so it

provide pretext for for their action

against British interest in China.

(Copiers

i

And if closure were

based on

than

C

any reason otten specific threat

THREAT

6 public security in

Whey Colmy - e.s. Difr

WERE

weare intended as

a festure gainst Chinese Commmerertion Konsultation with Foreign Office and Ambassador would clearly be partiary lane

appropriate

anti British

propaganda & conceiv-ally for

vent to F.O. for repetition to Nanking Canton).

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