CO_968_257_COMMUNIST_ACTIVITIES_IN_HONG_KONG_1952 — Page 145

Page 145,

CONFIDENTIAL

Peking telegram No. 55 to Foreign Office

3.

-?-

(c) The appeal to the Japanese people, over the heads

of the Government, is of course a line which has been adopted for some time.

(a) The principal emphasis of relevant comments in the

Peoples Daily has been economic ruin with which Japan will be faced since it will be impossible to import Coking coal and iron ore cheaply if trade relations are severed completely with China. The Yoshida Government measures failed to make Japan "secede from the Asian economic system".

Indignation of the Central Peoples Government at Yoshida's letter is not surprising and their reaction is as might have been expected. It is not clear how far the reference to the Sino Soviet Treaty is intended as a threat to the West or an encouragement to their own people.

The attack on the United Kingdom is at Perhaps it is both. first sight somewhat surprising but the Chinese Government may feel that since the direct attacks on the United States Government have produced no effect they might get more

It might also change by turning some of their fire on us. represent a reaction to Mr. Churchill's address to the United States Congress of which, however, so far we have seen no mention in the Chinese press.

Foreign Office please pass to Washington, Moscow,

and Tokyo as my Saving telegrams Nos. 6, 3 and 4 respectively.

[Repeated Saving to Washington, Moscow and Tokyo]

020

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OUTWARD TELEGRAM

19/20

PaFROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES 182

TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

Cypher (0.T.P.)

IMMEDIATE

SECRET No.119.

DEF 57/51/01

Sent 30th January, 1952. 12.00 hrs.

Addressed to Governor, Hong Kong. Repeated to Commissioner-General,

South East Asia No.58.

" Peking. "Washington.

Your telegram No.89.

I concur in course proposed in your

paragraph 2.

(Copies sent to Foreign Office for

repetition to Peking and Washington)

Copy sent to:-

Foreign Office

Mr. Oakshott.