0003160 G.F. 316
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was trying to impose more stringent work schedules. 6th May disturbances broke out outside one of the factories in Kowloon and as a result 21 persons were arrested (including the Chairman of the union concerned with the artificial flower trade). The next day, the union, which was later backed by the pro-Communist Federation of Trade Unions (F.T.U.), made four demands to the Government the release
My
of all those arrested, the punishment of those responsible and the payment of compensation, a guarantee of workers' safety and finally that the police should not henceforward interfere in labour disputes. This was followed on 11th May by further disorders in which 143 people were arrested. On each occasion, the police were forced to intervene after repeated warnings when the crowd refused to limit its behaviour to peaceful picketing.
9.
In the early stages of the crisis which followed, up to 16th May, the trouble was confined to North and East Kowloon. It was supported by paid hooligans and centred on the courts in which those arrested on 6th and 11th May were being tried, around the artificial flower factory, and in a resettlement estate near by. The police behaved with great restraint and, with the aid of night curfews on 11th, 12th, 13 and 18 liay, succeeded in restoring order. Altogether 556 people were arrested; 28 Police and 39 others were injured. The only fatality was a bystander killed by a stone.
10.
On 15th May, the situation took a more serious turn when a statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking condemning the British Government and authorities in Hong Kong for acts of brutal suppression and fascist atrocities in collusion with the United States. It also listed five demands which were to be accepted unconditionally and immediately. These included the immediate acceptance of the four demands of the Hong Kong Unions, the release of all those arrested in Hong Kong with apologies and compensation, the cessation of all Fascist measures and a guarantee against any recurrence of such incidents.
11.
On 16th May, as the trouble in Kowloon began to subside, the focus shifted to Hong Kong Island as the result of the presentation to Government House by pro- Communist delegations of petitions supporting the "five demands", Seventeen Members of the All Circles Anti- Persecution Struggle Committee, which had been formed as the ostensible spearhead of the agitation for acceptance of the "demands", twice appeared outside the gates of Government House demanding, in an offensive and peremptory way, to see me. When this was refused, the temper of the demonstrators became hotter, The numbers of delegations quickly grew and their members became increasingly arrogant, demanding and noisy. Quantities of posters were affixed to the gate at the entrance to the Government House grounds. By 20th May, crowds of over 3,000 were involved and, being denied immediate ascess to Government House, spread out into the city creating trouble wherever they went, egged on by inflammatory and anti-European broadcasts over loud speakers from Communist-owned concerns particularly the Bank of China. The climax came on 22nd May when a major
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