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Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State

for the Colonies.

Deted 25th. July, 1939.

Received 1.41 p.m. 25th. July.

No.210. Confidential.

I am contemplating taking measures to restrain

confidence in

local newspapers printed in English, which are not subject to oensorship imposed on the Chinese press, as I consider that the language used by them is occasionally subversive of and the loyalty to the British Government. Example is the poster in lest Sunday's newspapers as follows. Begins :- Great Britain too

week to oppose the Japanese.

Ends.

I propose to take powers under Emergency Regulations

to require publishers of any specified newspaper to submit to the Commissioner of Police for censorship copy of every poster purporting to announce the contents of the said newspaper. Requisition to be either for limited or indefinite period according to circumstances.

I do not at present propose to take powers to

require submission of newspaper itself for censorship but if that

becomes necessary will so recommend to you.

At least one local newspaper printed in English is

controlled by Chinese politiciens while another is Japanese owned.

Grateful for your early telegraphic views.

Am

consulting the Executive Council tomorrow.

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