TNAG-0103-FCO40-139-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-Lord-Shepherd-1967 — Page 88

SECRET

newspapers;

all three papers were suspended for the period of the trials

and subsequently were suspended for six months; a number of journalists

were imprisoned. No major C.F.G.-owned organ has been proceeded against,

but action against the smaller fry provoked nore than usually violent

reaction from Peking, leading to the Chinese ultimatum of the 20th -ugust

and to the burning of the British Mission prenises there. Since the

suspension of the three newspapers, roneo-ed broad sheets, soditious and

inflammatory in tone, have been produced and distributed free; the

Governor has been authorised to take powers, as necessary, under Energency

Regulations to deal with them. Action taken against the Press has not

led to any modification in the tone of the other Communist organs. But

any measures to include the C.P.G.-owned papers will require the most

careful consideration and the Governor will consult us before any such

measures are taken.

8. The Communist reaction to failure was to step up violence and

shoer terrorism becane their main weapon; this included the use of bombs,

the murder of a popular Chinese radio personality and the earmarking of

six prominent Chinese citizens for assassination. Although the development

reflects the bankruptcy of the Communist cause, it has placed a considerable

strain on the police, who have throughout acted with great restraint; and on

the Service bomb disposal teams. During the latter half of September, with

the increase in tempo in preparations for the Chinese National Day

celebrations on 1st October, there was a general decrease in confrontation

activity on the part of the local Communists. The local Communist Press

became more moderate in tone and began to lay emphasis on the political

nature of the "struggle": it stressed the long tern nature of confrontation

and the fact that "compatriots" would have to rely mainly on their own

efforts to achieve victories. However, boab incidents continued in

sporadic outbreaks, together with small scale demonstrations; and these

events may be evidence of the looseness of the control of the local

SECRET

/Communist