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surveillance.
it would disrupt their communications (e.g. Government could pick up all their couriers), And they might well eventually have to move to other premises where it would be easier for Government to keep them under closer
Further advantage is that it would enable us to isolate Bank of China without taking direct action against the building which could involve us with the C.P.G.. As an immediate measure I have deployed loudspeakers blaring forth cheerful Chinese tunes to drown the inflammatory broadcasts coming from the Bank. But this is not sufficient in itself, since the Bank building remains one of the principal rallying points for demonstrations; and anyhow we know it is one of the main communist control points.
Course (iii)
7. The worrying thing about not taking action against the worst offender among the communist press is that it is daily in flagrant breach of the law, and if we continue to ignore this it may well be taken as sign of weakness. But it would obviously be regarded by Peking as a provocation (see Peking telegram No. 483 of 15 May). Furthermore there are 9 other communist newspapers here which could all continue the campaign unless similar action were taken against them.
Course (iv)
8
It would take three and a half days for BULWARK to reach Hong Kong. Her presence here, with a commando aboard, would undoubtedly strengthen public and police morale, and both Commissioner of Police and CBF are strongly in favour. Her arrival here might be represented by Peking as sabre- rattling, although they could have no legitimate grounds for doing so. It would not of course be publicised here as a reinforcement, but simply as a routine visit. Practice here is not to publicise visits of H.M. ships in advance,
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Recommendations.
My advisers and I have discussed these courses with CBF, Galsworthy and Bolland, and we all agree in recommending course (ii) and course (iv) at this stage.
10.
I am holding a meeting of my Executive Council tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, and I intend to seek their views on courses (i), (ii) and (iii), but on a contingency planning basis only. However, I would hope that I may have urgently your approval for courses (ii) and (iv) and would welcome your early comments on the other two courses.
Galsworthy will be telegraphing separately about useful discussions held this morning on labour matters.
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(Passed as requested with advance copies to
Foreign Office F.E. Dept.),
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