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a statement castigating the Hong Kong authorities for "Facist
atrocities", hostility to the Chinese people and "collusion with
the United States Imperialists". The statement included a demand
that Her Majesty's Government should instruct the Hong Kong
Government to accept all the local pro-communist demands which
the Chinese must have known to be unacceptable to the Hong Kong
The statement was the strongest and most abusive
Government.
about Hong Kong for some years,
70 No direct reply was given to the Chinese Government statement
but on the 17th May a statement was released in London referring
to the industrial origin of the disturbances and stating that
"H.M.G. fully support the Hong Kong Government in fulfilling its
duty both in maintaining law and order and in the efforts it is
making to bring about a settlement of the industrial dispute".
8. From the 13th May the campaign switched from Kowloon to
Government House on Hong Kong island. At first the demonstrators
were noisy and abusive. Petitions were presented and Government
House was plastered with posturs.
9. On the 20th May the demonstrations began to lose their
orderly and disciplined nature and the demonstrators started to
resort to rowdiness and violence by molesting spectators and
blocking roads, particularly in the area of Statue Square and the
Law Courts. Loudspeakers on the Bank of China buildings adopted
an anti-British tune and included such slogans as "Kill Trench"
"British murderers", etc.
100
The Hong Kong Government issued notices stating that
disorderly processions or unlawful gatherings would not be allowed
but the people would still be allowed to continue to exercise
their right to petition the Governor in small, orderly groups
or by post.
11.
The situation deteriorated further and on the 22nd May the
Governor asked for permission:-
(a) to neutralize the buildings from which the campaign
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