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4. THE NCHA ARGUED THAT THE MOVING UP OF TROOPS AND EXTRA POLICE
INTO THE BORDER AREA, AND THE ERECTION OF 'WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS'
AT LOWU IN THEMSELVES INCREASED TENSION AND WERE CONTRARY
TO THE SPIRIT OF LAST YEARS BORDER AGREEMENTS. THEY INSISTED THAT THE INCIDENT OF THE 29TH MAY COULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED CLOSED
WHEN WE HAD TAK N STEPS TO EASE THE SITUATION ON THE BORDER AND
ASKED WHAT WE PROPOSED TO DO.
5. THE P.A. AGREED TO TRANSMIT THE CONTENTS OF THE MESSAGE FROM THE KWANGTUNG AUTHORITIES TO HIS SUPERIORS, BUT MADE IT
CLEAR THAT THE DEMANDS RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF BRITISH
TROOPS IN BRITISH TERRITORY WERE MATTERS OF CONCERN TO THE BRITISH
ALONE AND THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE IN PRINCIPLE.
6. WE HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT MEASURES TAKEN SINCE THE 29TH MAY
TO STRENGTHEN BRITISH FORCES IN THE BORDER AREA HAVE CREATED
DIFFICULTIES FOR THE SHUM CHUN BORDER AUTHORITIES AND THAT THEY
MAY GENUINELY CONSIDER OUR ACTIONS TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH OUR
PROFESSED DESIRE TO EASE TENSION ON THE BORDER AND TO RESPECT
THE SPIRIT OF LAST YEAR'S AGREEMENT. THE NCNA STRONGLY INTIMATED
THAT THE SHUM CHUN AUTHORITIES ARE UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE PEASANTS
WHO REGARD THE POLICE AND MILITARY REINFORCEMENTS AS A HOSTILE
MOVE ON OUR PART.
7. THERE HAS SO FAR (JUNE 9TH) BEEN NO REFERENCE TO THE INTERVIEW
IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS. THIS ADDS WEIGHT TO THE VIEW THAT ITS
OBJECT WAS NOT PRIMARILY PROPAGANDIST.
FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING AS MYTEL. 277.
SIR D. TRENCH
REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
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