have been no incidents since. Kowloon has remained quiet throughout.
3. Except for the European, who was not badly hurt, no casualties have
been admitted to hospital.
The police arrested 44 men the majority of them Left-wing workers living
on the island.
ܘܠܵܐ
We have no information on what we can expect tomorrow.
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Mr. Bolland
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon Mr. Rodgers
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IMMEDIATE SECRET
No. 655
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
F
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
22 1967
[FD1/1]
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 20th May, 1967 R. 20th
14502
火
H
65
ра
|_
251-
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.), Repeated to Peking, No. 245,
tt
H POLAD Singapore, No. 113,
Washington, No. 127 (Secretary of
State please pass IMMEDIATE to all).
My telegram No. 650.
FO1/1/62
SITREP as at 20/2000 hours.
Gonfrontation with the Left Wing.
Much
After a quiet night without curfew or incident the pressure was once
again on Government House, the same drill was followed as yesterday but
the demon- strators were in an uglier mood. Numbers involved though
never greatly above 3,000, were on the whole larger and there were
unpleasant elements who deliberately tried to provoke the police. On two
occasions at about 1100 hours and 1500 hours the police cordons had to
be reinforced. After 1500 hours there was a new development when crowds
denied immediate access to Government House began to move back into the
area of Statue Square opposite the Bank of China and also westwards,
causing considerable traffic congestion.
2. Soon after 1600 hours Government House, the front of which was
plastered once again with posters, ceased to be the focal point which
now shifted to the Statue Square area. The crowd here was about 1,000
strong, a considerable percentage appearing to be bystanders. Except for
the occasional hooliganism, directed mainly at Europeans with cameras,
the crown remained reasonably orderly. A loud- speaker from the Bank of
China interspersing offensive propaganda with Communist music tended to
raise the general temperature. Soon after 1700 hours the crowd began to
dis- perse, westwards and eastwards. The withdrawal of the police to
less obtrusive positions probably contributed to this dispersal though
it may have given the Left Wing the idea that they had achieved a
victory.
SECRET
/ 3.
SECRET
3. At the time of despatch a group of about 300 is still wandering
around the Causeway Bay area. It has been plastering Right Wing
newspaper offices and the local magistracy building with inflammatory
posters.
4. It seems likely that the success of their tactics in the heart of the
city could well encourage the Left Wing to repeat their behaviour on a
larger scale tomorrow. The use of a loudspeaker by the staff of the Bank
of China is bound to exacerbate the situation. The broadcasts at times
today had a specifically anti-European tone and included such slogans as
"kill Trench" "British murderers", etc. In the present unpleasant
Trench","British circumstances it has unfortunately become necessary for
me to instruct the police to take a firmer line with disorderly
processions or gatherings. It is still my intention to permit orderly
presentation of petitions at Government House by small groups. A warning
of our firmer attitude has been given tonight and will be carried in
tomorrow morning's newspapers. There seems little doubt that tomorrow
will be a critical day.
5. There is no doubt that the heartening news of the Foreign Secretary's
strong protest to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires yesterday has made a
most valuable impact on morale, but it may also have contributed to the
tougher line of the demonstrators. The danger, however, is that today's
disorders have had their effect on public morale and it is even more
important that we show our determination to enforce law and order
tomorrow.
(Passed as requested and to Resident Clerk.)
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Mr. Bolland
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Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon
P.S. to Mr. Rodgers
SECRET
Cypher
SECRET
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
시
x117
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Sent 19 May 1967. 2001 Z
RECEIVED IN
64
ARCHIVES No.31
21/1967
FD1/11
pal
1225h
INMEDIAT SECRET No.967
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong Repeated IMMEDIATE to Peking
14
" POLAD Singapore
Washington
H ROUTINE
Following from Garner,
Your telegram No.641.
Kowloon Disturbances.
nol yet
rearise?
I have discussed the latest situation and your telegram with
Commonwealth Secretary. May I say at once how concerned we all are that
attack now seems to be concentrating on you, and how very much we admire
the calm spirit in which you are meeting it (your telegram No.650)
FD1/1/62
2. We are most grateful for your thoughts on the longer term problems
and entirely agree that they will need very serious thought.
3. We all agree that all these matters both long term and immediate need
personal discussion. Of course you cannot leave your post at present and
we recognise the difficulties in the way of a Ministerial visit. But we
are anxious to arrange talks with you as soon as possible and it has
been decided that Galsworthy, Carter and Bolland (F.O.) should fly out
tomorrow (20 May) by BOAC flight BA.922 arriving Hong Kong 16.00 hours
on Sunday. We hope this will be convenient to you and they will give you
all the help they can.
24. We are sure you will agree with us that it would be desirable to
avoid publicity for this official visit, if et all possible. We hope
means can be found of avoiding the Press at airport.
(Passed to D. S.A:0, for Peking, POLAD Singapore and
Washington)
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INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Press)
IVED P.
ARCHIVES No $1
22 MAY 1967
FOY!
En Clair
D. 19 May 1961 R. 19
1500Z
163
ра
12252
Life throughout the Colony has remained peaceful for the second day
running and no (repeat no) violent incidenta have occurred. Left-wing
organisations have continued to send groups to the gates of Government
House to chant slogans and paste-up anti-British posters but they have
otherwise behaved in an orderly fashion. A crowd of about five hundred
people began to gather outside Government House shortly after half past
two this afternoon,
The crowd later increased to some two thousand five hundred and there
was another crowd of six hundred in the slip road east of Government
House, singing and shouting.
on.
The crowd started to leave the scene as the day went
Shortly after five, it was reported that the crowd outside Government
House had completely dispersed.
A crowd of workers gathered outside the Green Island Cement Works, but
the situation is quiet.
Another meeting took place in the Labour Department this morning between
the management of the Hong Kong Artificial Flowers Factory and the
hundred workers of the factory who presented a petition to the
Department on Tuesday.
future.
It was agreed to hold further meetings in the near
Meanwhile more public organisations have expressed their support of the
Government in its efforts to maintain peace.
A group of leading citizens representing some two hundred thousand
residents and landlords of multi-storey building, met Mr. Sutcliffe,
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, this afternoon and handed him a
letter supporting Police efforts in the current disturbances,
The leader of the delegation said that residents of multi-storey
building were vary much disturbed by the unfortunate disturbances in
Kowloon.
The Director of Education today reminded school certificate candidates
and invigilators for four centres that they should all report to King
George The Fifth School at Mission Road to take the papers scheduled for
tomorrow.
The school certificate examinations in all other centres will be held as
scheduled.
/All
All other schools which normally have Saturday
Borning classes will be open as usual tomorrow.
Today the China Wail published the following editorial: Hong Kong's
people have left no doubt about win they stand in this current unrest.
They have rallied to the support of the Government in a manner that has
surprised every-
one.
This is unusual in a city that is normally rather apathetic in voicing
its collective opinion, It is for this reason that the Government places
so much importance on this support.
The Governor, Sir David Trench, has received petitions or representation
from almost eight hundred thousand people supporting the Government's
firm stand for law and order.
There will no doubt be many more.
Compare this to the ten or twelve delegations from pro-Communist
Organisations which have been visiting Government House. Many of these
delegations contain the same faces over and over.
It is too early to predict victory but we can tell those "voices of
doon" to pipe down. Hong Kong is too tough to let a few rabble rousers
do permanent damage.
Just look at the plan already organised to reward Hong Kong policemen
for their heroic behaviour and struggle on behalf of our people
announced this morning. The policemen's educational fund is mushrooming
with support coming from ordinary workers as well as big business.
Hong Kong is bouncing back.
For Boxall above copied.
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FU
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"I
Mr. Wilson
Li
IN
Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon
Hong Kong Government
Office Mr. Boxall
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 19 May 1967
R. 19
1 325Z
RECET.
ARCHIVI
62
IMMEDIATE SECRET
No.650
22. 1967
FD1/1
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
H
Peking No.243
帽
Η
POLAD Singapore No.110
"Washington No.125
(S. of S. please pass to all)
My telegram No.632.
SITREP as at 19/1900 hours.
Confrontation with the Left-wing.
ра
12251-
They
As expected the pressure today has again been on Government House.
Throughout the day, starting at about 1000 hours until 1700 hours, with
short break at lunch time, groups from a wide range of Left-wing
organisations including publishing circles, bankers, trade unions and
particularly schools, have demonstrated outside Government House. formed
up in the area of the Bank of China, marched in orderly,
well-disciplined form up Garden Road to Government House where they
chanted, sang the Thoughts of Hao and acted in an arrogant and noisy
manner. Posters were again plastered on the walls and gates of
Government House, but today they were more violent in nature, some
exhorting the public to "beat up the British and foreigners". The
demonstrators then marched off again, back to the Central District area,
still in orderly well-disciplined form, chanting and singing the while:
they dispersed in the area of the Bank of China. No petitions were
presented.
2. It is estimated that during the day some 2,000 to 3,000 demonstratore
were involved, but that at no one time were there more than 1,000
outside Government House. It is difficult to assess the effect which
these demonstrations had on the local population: there was the expected
normal Chinese curiosity and interest in such proceedings; some openly
thought it a bit of a joke although naturally others were concerned.
Particularly as to what might happen next.
3. A reliable source reports that the beft-wing emphasis is now on
propaganda. Clearly the recent heartening gesturea of support for and
confidence in the Government and in particular the Police has caused the
Left-wing concern, hence the importance now placed on the battle for
hearts and minds.
SECRET
14.
SECRET
At
So long as the Left-wing demonstrators continue to be well controlled
and orderly (apart from singing and abuse) I intend to try letting them
develop their full demonstrat: against my gates, and let them see where
it gets them. worst, it is confining the trouble to one spot. The risk
18, of course, that the public at large will misunderstand the policy
and think it one of excessive weakness. We are trying to counter this by
discreet suitable publicity.
5. The position in Kowloon remained quiet. Cases against people involved
in recent riots continued to be heard at both North and South Kowloon
Courts. There were some crowds outside
the courts but on the whole they remained orderly.
6. I am taking my family to Fanling Lodge this weekend, on advice that
my absence may damp down weekend demonstrations and because as much
normality as possible is desirable. I shall be remaining quite well in
touch and can get back into town very quickly, by helicopter if
necessary.
(Passed as requested)
(Advance copies passed to D.S.A.0. for Mr. Wilson
Mr. Bolland and Mr. de la Mare)
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Mr. Denson Mr. Foggon
P.3. to Mr. Rodgers
SECRET
En clair
INWARD TELEGRAM
+
:.. 31
23 1967
FO 1/1
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Information Services)
D. 19 May, 1967.
R. 19
0335Z
61
pa Dast
191000 Standard Editorial.
For information.
"Hong Kong Standard" in editorial headed
"Mobs and the People" said today (Friday):- "Playing a leading role in
disturbances in Kowloon are young stone-throwing and car-burning
hooligans at forefront of mobs and agitators inciting them from rear.
Their law-breaking activities are however being given support by large
numbers of people who are neither ruffians nor criminals and who in
ordinary course of life are law-abiding members of community.
It is to be presumed that these people are taking part in mob action
because of resentment against authority.
-
As in 1966 riot many appear to take satisfaction in making some gesture
of defiance by ignoring appeals to disperse or by throwing a single
stone in general direction of police.
These people may have genuine grievances. What they have failed to
realise however is that it is one thing to seek to bring about
improvements in a faulty system, it is quite another to strike at the
foundations on which the system is based.
If power of Police to preserve law and order is destroyed all people of
Hong Kong
of Hong Kong - rich and poor alike will suffer grievously.
Most people in Hong Kong are aware of this but unfortunately minority
which has not (repeat not) yet appreciated this point is large enough to
have provided trouble-makers with enough crowd backing to achieve their
ends.
It is to be hoped that these people will come to realise that they are
inviting disaster by giving encouragement and support to rioters and
that this awakening process will be hastened as much as possible by all
organisations that have the public ear.
Only lawless will benefit if structure of law and order is seriously
damaged.
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Mr. Boxall
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 19 May 1967
H R. 19
071 OZ
1
1:57
FD 1/
60
pa
25/
PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
No.642
Present situation regarding disputes involving Hong Kong Artificial
Flower Works and Green Island Cement Company Limited is as follows.
Hong Kong Artificial Flower Works
2.
Re-registration of workers preparatory to reopening of the factory on
the island began at 8 a.m. yesterday. The procedure was carried out
without incident and 178 workers out of total force of about 260 were
registered by end of day. An announcement was made this morning that the
factory would reopen on 20 May.
3. A petition from 100 workers from San Po Kong factory asking for
resumption of work was presented to Labour Department on 16 May.
Arrangements were made for talks between management and representatives
of petitioners and these are in progress.
4. Representatives of 15 out of the 92 workers first dismissed from both
factories sought assistance of Labour Department on 18 May. Talks were
immediately arranged and a settlement has been reached.
5. No response has been made by Left-wing union concerned to offers of
Labour Department to conciliate.
Green Island Cement Company Limited
6. 80 out of 491 workers dismissed have collected gratuities up to
yesterday. It is believed more would collect but for pickets outside
factory premises. Pickets vary in numbera but do not exceed abount 50 at
any one time. No incidents have occurred. Operations in the factory have
now been completely stopped. No response has been made by Left-wing
union concerned to offers of Labour Department to conciliate.
General
7. The Commissioner of Labour made a public appeal by press and radio on
18th for those not prepared to accept his conciliation services to agree
to mediation by independent persone.
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
E
CONFIDENTIAL
59
Furi
(1046/67)
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 5 MAY 1967
FD1/1
Kear Joher,
1
office of the British Chargé d'Affaires,
PEKING.
29 April, 1967
folio 8
Thank you for your letter of 5 April,
enclosing a copy of a letter from Carter on the best way of dealing with
allegations on Hong Kong's constitutional status.
2.
We agree with the line he proposes.
J. B. Denson, Esq.,
Yours wer
lived
(P. CRADOCK)
Copy & it Gaztel
Wiñara
C.o.
Far Eastern Department.
CONFIDENTIAL
fex 251
Cypher
IMMEDIATE
SECRET
No.632
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 18 May 1967 R. 18
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 31
FD1/1
11 TOZ
p.a
(58
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
H
H
H
Paking No.238 Singapore No.106 Washington No.120
(s. of S. please pass to all)
Ky telegram No.626.
SITREP as at 18 1700.
·FD1/18.52
During the night of 17/18 May up to
1700 hours today on the Kowloon side the re
have been sporadic small scale disturbances none of which have demanded
major police intervention. It has not so far been thought necessary to
impose a curfew,
2. The All Circles delegation which called at Government House on 17th
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.