TNAG-0103-FCO40-139-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-Lord-Shepherd-1967 — Page 89

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Communist hierarchy over their militant elements. The relative

noderation of the tone of the Pross coupled with the absence of serious

incidents on 1st October may be an indication that the more noderate

elements have regained some control of the situation.

There is every

indication that the Communists intend to persist in their policy of wooing

the masses but that they will employ ideclogical and educational methods

rather than those of violence.

9. The indiscriminate use of bombs, which caused the deaths of two young

children on 20th August, outraged public opinion in Hong Kong and led to

public pressure for the introduction of the death sentence for bomb offences.

This matter has received preliminary consideration in the Commonwealth

Office but no further action is being taken pending the discussions which

the Minister will hold in Hong Kong. (See Brief No. 1).

10.

The disturbances do not appear to have been directly instigated by

Peking but rather to have been the result of local initiatives taken in

response to the revolutionary atmosphere on the mainland and the local

desire to achieve in Hong Kong a Macao-type situation. Nonetheless, the

C.P.G. have given extensive propaganda support to their Hong Kong

compatriots, and have assisted their campaign directly in such ways as

supplying strike funds and indirectly by permitting the border incidents.

But there is no indication that they propose to employ one of their most

powerful weapons, the denying of supplies to Hong Kong. Much of the

Colony's food cones from China (boof 65%, pork 87%, oggs 93%

vegetables 60%), and though supplies have been erratic and often reduced,

that has been due nainly to the disturbed political state of Kwangtung

Province and to temporary events such as border closures and bad weather.

The Chinese failed to respond to requests from Hong Kong for additional

supplies of water during the period July-September. But they have

fulfilled the terms of the Agreement under which they are liable to supply

Hong Kong with 15,000 million gallons annually during the period

October-June:

they resumed water supplies on 1st October this year.

In

/any

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