TNAG-0009-FCO40-45-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 38

Cypher

IMMEDIATE

SECRET

No.650

SECRET

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 19 May 1967

R. 19

11

13252.

:2

1967

90

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N 63

HWA 1/2

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

Repeated

"Peking No.243

"POLAD Singapore No.110 "Washington No.125

(S. of S. please pass to all)

量管

1:

632.

80

My telegram No.632.

SITREP as at 19/1900 hours.

Confrontation with the Left-wing.

As expected the pressure today has again been on Government House. Throughout the day, starting at about 1000 · hours until 1700 hours, with short break at lunch time, groups from a wide range of Left-wing organisations including publishing circles, bankers, trade unions and particularly schools, have demonstrated outside Government House. They formed up in the area of the Bank of China, marched in orderly, well-disciplined form up Garden Road to Government House where they chanted, sang the Thoughts of Mao and acted in an arrogant and noisy manner, Posters were again plastered on the walls and gates of Government House, but today they were more violent in nature, some exhorting the public to "beat up the British and foreigners". The demonstrators then marched off again, back to the Central District area, still in orderly well-disciplined form, chanting and singing the while: they dispersed in the area of the Bank of China. No petitions were presented.

20 It is estimated that during the day some 2,000 to 3,000 demonstrators were involved, but that at no one time were there more than 1,000 outside Government House. It is difficult to assess the effect which these demonstrations had on the local population: there was the expected normal Chinese curiosity and interest in such proceedings; some openly thought it a bit of a joke although naturally others were concerned. Particularly as to what might happen next.

3. A reliable source reports that the Left-wing emphasis is now on propaganda. Clearly the recent heartening gestures of support for and confidence in the Government and in particular the Police has caused the Left-wing concern, hence the importance now placed on the battle for hearts and minds.

....

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101

SECRET

PADO

140