Hong Kong telegram No. 1311
› Commonwealth Office (D.TAD.)
2
announcement was made that the farmers were coming across fact some seventy did cross and go to their fields.
In
On their return at about 1800 a ritual demonstration was held outside the Immigration Office but, assisted on their way by tear gas and smoke grenades, the farmers quickly dispersed. There was one burst of machine gun-fire over Lo Wu Police Station from C.T. during this incident.
During the late evening three explosive devices, possibly grenades, were thrown at the Immigration Building, damaging the roof and there were three fairly truculent Chinese broad- casts. In the morning, on 26 August, no workers crossed the bridge and there was a further truculent broadcast by the P.L.A. demanding apologies and compensation.
5. At Man Kam To during the evening of 24 August, groups of labourers carrying meat hooks removed most of the wire barrier erected across the bridge on 11 August. They were dispersed eventually with tear gas and smoke. A number of bursts of machine gun-fire were directed over the heads of our troops while the crowds were being dispersed.
Fire was apparently controlled by a member of the crowd with a yellow flag and was synchronized with the throwing of tear gas grenades by our troops. There is some evidence that it was the militia rather than the 0.0.A. who fired. One improvised bomb was thrown.
On 25 August shortly after 1400, farmers began to collect at the bridge following a broadcast by the Chinese asking us to let them across. The Military appreciation was that trouble was imminent. It had already been decided that the bridge would be opened on 26 August. In the circumstances it was decided to open it immediately. The barrier was cleared by 1610 and a party-of labourers came across to work returning later without incident.
There were no further events during the night, and on the morning of 26 August 30 farmers came across peacefully to work in the fields.
So far no produce has arrived, however, but lorries are moving into the area,
6. Food supplies.
There is still a serious shortage of pigs. China which built up to over 3,000 on Wednesday yesterday. As a result prices remained high. fish supplies are improving.
Supplies from slumped again
Vegetables and
The indications are that the Chinese are doing what they can to keep supplies moving.
/The
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