TNAG-0009-FCO40-45-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 148

SECRET

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

Cypher

HWB

Sent 15th May, 1967.

1820%

28

FLASH SECRET

No. 917

Draft Below

Addressed to Governor Hong Kong

Repeated for information IMMEDIATE to Peking

PRIORITY

POLAD Singapore.

11

11

(27)

(a)

(b)

(c)

Your telegram No. 607.

Kowloon Disturbances.

There are three alternatives:-

Postponement for 48 hours;

to start the trial as planned but to seek an adjournment, perhaps on grounds

further evidence is required, and to re-offer bail;

to let the law take its course.

Our objection to (a) is that, the Chinese will take this as a sign of weakness and 'increase their pressure and demands against us.

30

Our objection to (b) is that, unless there are credible grounds for an adjournment, this also would look like a sign of weakness.

40

We therefore conclude that unless you see objection, you should proceed as at (c). In view of Peking statement this may appear provocative both there and in Hong Kong and may lead to serious escalation. We must, however, expect increasing pressure anyway and we think that this will be less rather than greater if we do not appear to

be backing down immediately but take the position that the law of the Colony must be upheld.

(Passed to D.S.A.0. for transmission to

Peking and POLAD Singapore)

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H.K. W.I.D. 'C'

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SECRET

/J.I.C.

DAR