SECRET 4
COMMUNIST RANK AND FILE MAY INTERPRET THESE STATEMENTS AS OFFICIAL
SUPPORT FOR FURTHER DISORDERS, IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT AT A NUMBER
OF UNION AND SCHOOL MEETINGS, THOSE ATTENDING WERE INSTRUCTED NOT
TO PARTICIPATE IN INCIDENTS SUCH AS THOSE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN.
WHILE THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLIC PROPAGATION OF MAO'S THOUGHTS, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS WAS
INTENDED TO BE CONDUCTED IN A PEACEFUL MANNER AND THAT CLASHES
WITH THE POLICE WERE TO BE AVOIDED. THE PLAYGROUND CONCERNED IS
LOCATED IN A VERY DENSELY POPULATED AREA, AND IT APPEARS THAT
MANY OF THOSE INVOLVED, PARTICULARLY IN THE LATER STAGES, WERE
NOT COMMUNISTS BUT OTHER MALCONTENTS.
4. THE COMMUNISTS HAVE TRIED TO EXTRACT THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
PROPAGANDA POSSIBLE FROM THE RAINSTORMS WHICH STRUCK THE COLONY
LAST WEEK, AND THIS IS CLEARLY IN LINE WITH THEIR CURRENT POLICY
OF PEACEFUL UNITED FRONT TACTICS. THE COMMUNIST WORKERS AND STUDENTS
WHO ASSISTED IN CLEARING DEBRIS AND MUD, THOUGH COOPERATIVE AND
ORDERLY, USED THE OCCASION FOR THE PROPAGATION OF MAO'S THOUGHTS AND
CHOSE AREAS WHICH GAVE CONTACT WITH THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF VICTIMS
LIKELY TO BE RECEPTIVE TO THEIR PROPAGANDA. CONNECTION OF THE
'GIFT RICE' ISSUE WITH ASSISTANCE FOR STORM VICTIMS AT THE FTU
MEETING MAY FORESHADOW A RENEWED PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN ON THIS SUBJECT. 5. TRAVELLERS CONTINUE TO REPORT THAT THE SECURITY SITUATION
IN CANTON REMAINS SERIOUSLY DISTURBED. ARMED FACTIONAL CLASHES ARE
SAID TO BE A DAILY OCCURRENCE. WHILST THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE
IN GENERAL LAWLESSNESS. SOME ARRIVALS TELL OF THE CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS
AND PUBLIC SECURITY POSTS, WHILST OTHERS REPORT THE CURTAILMENT
OF BUS SERVICES. THE PLA STILL APPEAR RELUCTANT TO TAKE FIRM ACTION
AGAINST FACTIONAL ELEMENTS, ALTHOUGH IT IS SAID TO HAVE ACTED
AGAINST CRIMINALS.
FO PLEASE PASS ROUTINE WASHINGTON 82 AND CANBERRA 55%
SIR D. TRENCH
FILE S
8.0.
H.K.DEPT. P.A.D.
REPEATED AS REQUESTED] PASSED TO CABINET OFFICE]
F.E.& P.D. I.P.D. I.R.D.
C.O. P.S.TO LORD SHEPHERD
SIR A.GALSWORTHY
F.0.
MR. MASON
F.E.D.
SIR D. ALLEN
ADVANCE COPIES SENT F.O. MR. WILKINSON
P.U.S.D. (MR.BUTLER) O.L.A. O.P.A.
DIS MOD
SECRET
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