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4.
The two civil actions foreshadowed in
paragraphs 5 and 6 of my telegram 1058 have been initiated by solicitors" letters to the papers involved (which include both Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Pao) demanding retraction and apology. The reaction of the papers so far has been
one of defiance.
5. The first reactions are not necessarily a good indication of the position the Communist press will decide to take up in the longer term. In the event of continuing publication of material having a seditious effect, however, it will be necessary for us to proceed equally firmly against the remaining papers. This was the apprecia- tion of the situation in your telegram 1582 and I assume it was taken into account in approving the present action. As it may be desirable to move at short notice I should be grateful for your confirmation now that I may act against the C.P.G.-owned papers, if necessary under Emergency Regulations, if the situation in my judgment calls for it.
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