TNAG-0078-FCO40-114-Action-against-Communist-press-1967 — Page 62

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also enquired whether it would be possible for the plaintiffs in the libel

action against the Wen Wei Pao to waive their claim for damages.

8. In his telegram No.1820 of 5 December the Governor expressed his anxiety

to do anything possible to help our Mission in Peking, but pointed out that

there was little indication in Hong Kong itself of any attempt by the

Communists to restore the situation to normal. Regular bomb attacks were

continuing and the Communist press was maintaining its virulent criticism

of Government and incitement to violence. Any substantial concessions to the

Communists could well lead to further demands from them as well as to a loss

of public confidence. There could be no question of attempting to interfere

with the normal processes of law insofar as the punishment of arrested pupils

and teachers was concerned.

9. The Governor then suggested that in order to help to ease the situation

vis-a-vis Peking it might be possible for him to go along the following lines

in dealing with the major current issues;-

(1) The Executive Council had advised the de-registration of the

school which had been closed, but the timing of this step

could be arranged to take place at the most expedient moment.

(2) The detention of the arrested headmaster could be reconsidered

at a later date, but the Governor doubted if it would be

desirable to take this step in addition to any decision not to

de-register the school.

(3) He would be prepared to ask the plaintiff in the libel action

against the Wen Wei Pao if he would be willing to waive his

claim for damages (due to be assessed on 14 December). If

this concession had any useful effect on the attitude of the

C.P.G. he would be prepared to consider similar action in the

other three outstanding cases.

(4) He would be prepared to delay for a time the seizure of the

assets of the three newspapers suspended in August (see paragraph 2

above), which have not yet paid the fines then imposed on them.

But this action would eventually need to be taken in time to

prevent the newspapers resuming publication in February.

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