People's Daily called on the Chinese in Hong Kong to organize a courageous struggle against the British and to be ready to respond to the call of the motherland to smash the reactionary rule of the British'. The article went on to emphasize, however, that the main force in the struggle was the working class in Hong Kong, in a broad hint that they could not expect physical assistance from China. This qualifica- tion was ignored by the communist press in Hong Kong which pro- minently reprinted the article as evidence of full support of confronta- tion by Peking. A further article in the People's Daily of 10th June urged 'workers, peasants, the People's Liberation Army and the revolu- tionary masses in China' to prepare to support the struggle in Hong Kong with concrete action. At all events, what was termed a 'general strike' was called for 24th June.
67. On the eve of the proposed stoppage there was a serious incident at Canton Road in Kowloon. A Police party engaged in photographing posters outside the premises of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Rubber and Plastic Union was set upon by a gang of men armed with iron bars, bottles and sharpened files. The Police opened fire. In the fracas one of the attackers was fatally wounded and three policemen were injured; the remaining attackers were seen to retreat into the union premises. Police reinforcements were called up and, with some difficulty managed to break in. The premises were defended by some 50 men, armed with choppers and other weapons, who put up a fierce resistance injuring four policemen in the struggle. Seven of the defenders were injured, three fatally. This was the first occasion that the Police had raided the premises of a communist union and the incident disposed of any communist illusions that such premises were inviolate.
68. It was not known at this stage how effective the stoppage would be and to what extent uncommitted workers would, under the impact of communist propaganda, feel obliged to join what was loudly pro- claimed as the winning side. With their finances augmented by a gift of $10 million from the All China Federation of Trade Unions, the communist organizers had also promised lavish payments to those taking part. During the intervening days, therefore, the Government Transport Office held a series of meetings with the transport and utility companies to co-ordinate the action that should be taken and to formulate plans for the maintenance of essential services. Similar action was taken by other Government departments concerned.
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