most of the papers carried Government's statement on the bomb incidents,
and reports of the 70 Bi-Weekly being searched by the Police.
Fai Po exclusively reported that Leung Wai Lam of the New China News
Agency had given his guarantee to Hong Kong Government that China had
nothing to do with the "bomb incidents".
Press interest in the "bomb issue" seemed to have faded somewhat on
31st. Anyway, it was overshadowed by the hi-jack incident at Kai Tak
airport. They continued to publish statistics of "suspicious objects"
found over the Colony.
Communist press
With the exceptions of Commercial Daily and Ching Po giving straight
forward report on the "Hill bomb-blast" on 28.3.71, the
Communist press have kept quiet on the other bomb incidents.
And, only Hong Kong Evening News, a "mosquito" left-wing paper
with an estimated circulation of under 10,000, published an editorial
commenting on the incidents.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS ON BOMB INCIDENTS
Non-Communist press
TIN TIN YAT PO (28.3.71)
We feel very sorry for Mr. Hill.
No-one in Hong Kong like to see "Compatriots-don't-come-near"
kind of incidents happen again; and they would object to the use of this
method to oppose increases in water charges.
However, this
/bomb
2
bomb-blast should make the Financial Secretary realize that his water
charges preposals were a very unwise movc.
HONG KONG DAILY NEWS
(28.3.71)
The slogan "Competriots-don't-come-nenr" makes people connect this
incident with the leftists; because in 1967, this was one of their
favourite slogans.
Although everyone objects to increases in water-churges, violence
should not be used. To use bombs to express objections is barbarous.
Bombs in 1967 caused "economic setbacks" even to the Communist shope. It
took us many years to recuperate. If people use bombs again this time
and cause another economic slump, the victims will be the Hong Kong
compatriots and not the Hong Kong British.
NEW LIFE EVENING POST (28.3.71)
Bombs are much worse than water charge increases. What will you get
from a bomb?
Whether it is en incident created by an individual, or the work of an
organisation, the Authorities must arrest the culprit to ensure public
safety.
NAM WAH MAN PO (28.3.71)
Colonial rule is no longer applicable in Hong Kong. Government
must consider public opinion.
SING THO MAN PO (28.3.71)
The Hong Kong ||
1
!!
7.
Although people want "water" and "language" (sic) they'd never
support violence.
KUNG SHEUNG MAN PO (28.3.71)
Smacks of the leftists.
They are probably using this as an excuse
to create trouble because these 2 issues definitely do not warrant
violence.
TRUTH DAILY (28.3.71)
1.
2.
The following might be responsible for bomb-planting :
Militant leftists.
New leftists.
The British and Chinese Governments have both been attempting to build
up good-will. towards each other in the past few months. But we doubt if
the Si^-British relations can improve drastically. The biggest irony is
bomb incidents occured on the day when the Governor released eight
confrontation prisoners who were guilty of bomb-planting in 1967.
HONG KONG DAILY NEWS (29.3.71)
badly.
Get revenue from luxury goods e.g. liquor and cigarettes.
People know how to protest now if they feel they are being treated
/Government
-
3
-
11
Government must consider public opinion, otherwise it will be unfair to
the people when trouble arise.
FAI PO (29.3.71)
Benevolent administration is what we want and not a "totalitarian"
Government, although we do not know where the bombs come from the
effects worry us.
Suspend the implementation of increasing water-charges.
SING TAO JIH PO (29.3.71)
Don't implement the water-charge increase policy nor delay making
the Chinese language official.
TIN TIN YAT PO (29.3.71)
Must respect public opinion.
MING PO (29.3.71)
People should learn from the 1967 lesson.
They should not use
these 2 issues as cxcuses. They should not do this for political or
personal revenge.
KUNG SHEUNG YAT PO (29.3.71)
We will never support people who plant bombs no matter what their
motives are.
Youth or militant elements, might be responsible for the bombs.
WAH KIU YAT PO (29.3.71)
Where do the bombs come from? People must now co-operate with the
police in combatting the bomb-planters.
TRUTH DAILY (29.3.71)
People
People will not be scared this time as they were in 1967.
responsible might well be the so-called "New leftists" who are not
organized at all. Extremist elements should be kicked out of Hong Kong
immediately.
NEW LIFE EVENING POST (29.3.71)
Government should try to solve the problem and arrest the
culprits. Don't ignore public opinion anymore.
KUNG SHEUNG MAN PO (29.3.71)
We need the young people in Hong Kong.
We're glad that they gave
statements immediately to denounce this kind of violence.
11.
/NAM
A
1
NAM WAH MAN PO (29.3.71)
Why must they use bombs to protest?
SING TAO MAN PO (29.3.71)
The continuing reports of the discovery of bombs show that the
law-breakers have not yet stopped their dangerous threats against order
in our society.
A majority of the people in Hong Kong object to the increase of water
rates and would like to see Chinese made an official language, but they
would not allow such objections or wishes to be expressed in the form of
violence.
SING TAO MAN PO (29.3.71)
Last week, the Hong Kong Government released 7 leftists from prison.
They were all 1967 confrontation prisoners who were guilty of planting
bombs and endangering public safety. By coincidence, appalling
tomb-planting incidents occurred again this week. This has therefore
caused criticisms from the public on the Government measure in the early
release of prisoners.
There were 7 leftists released last week. They were all sent to prison
because they were guilty of bomb-planting and endangering public safety
during the 1967 Disturbances,
One of the 7 prisoners was originally sentenced to 10 years'
imprisonment, 3 to 7 years and another 3 to 8 years. It should be a long
time before they were released, however, all of them are free now.
People feel that the measure taken by Government ought to be
re-examined. Undenviably, after the 1967 Disturbance, Hong Kong achieved
more prosperity and the Sino-British relationships improved steadily.
However, the dignity of law and order must be upheld and faith of Hong
Kong people in the future of Hong Kong relies on our stability. No
matter what, Hong Kong Government must respect public opinion and
maintain the integrety of the law.
HONG KONG DAILY NEWS (29.3.71)
All Chinese people in Hong Kong object to increase of water rates and
support the Chinese language issue. However, all of us hate violence,
especially when it is committed by people who treat it all as a joke.
Use proper ways and channels to fight the water-charge increase issue.
FAI PO (29.3.71)
If the Hong Kong Government can deal with the current situation
properly, we are sure the people would pledge their support to the
Government, but if the Government "mishandle" the whole thing, the
consequences might be "unthinkable".
We agree with the points given in the statements issued by various
students bodies who voiced their strong objection to
/violence
11
5
violence and blamed th. Government for :
a. not making Chinese an official language in Hong Kong.
ignoring public opinion on the water-charge increase issue
b
the absence of elected representation in the Legislative Council,
So, we feel that the Government should accept the people's reasonable
demands.
TIN TIN YAT PO (29.3.71)
We hail Mr. Norman Hill for his bravery.
A number of bombs were planted in public plac s in the past few days and
the bomb-planters used the slogans of opposing "water-charge increase"
and "making the Chinese Language official in Hong Kong" as cxcuses for
their action. We are cure that there is absolutely no connection between
these bombs and public opinion.
Government tends to lose good-will of the people in some of its measures
and policies but using violence to express one's indignation is
definitely out.
WAH KIU YAT PO (29.3.71)
We believe that the motive of the four student bodies in making
their statements is good. They have shown their love and care for Hong
Kong. We would like to praise them for their courage and sincerity.
1.
2.
3.
However, we have a few suggestions here for the students :
The planting of bombs is a malicious plot to undermine the future of
Hong Kong. It should not be tolerated but should be dealt with severely;
government should on no account withdraw its decision to increase the
water rates nor should it announce Chinese as an official language at
the present moment, because this would mean giving in to the
bomb-planters. Government should adopt a firm attitude now, and leave
the two problems for future disucssions; in order to safeguard the life
of the 4 million people and to uphold law and order, all the residents
should offer their unconditional support to the Goverment in all it
does.
To sum up, residents and Government must join force and co-operate with
each other to overcome the present crisis.
TRUTH DAILY (30.3.71)
Urban Counciller Dr. D. Huanr made a statement on T.V. last night
saying that the planting of bombs this time is different from that of
1967 in that many people think it is the right thing to do.
Many people are dissatisfied with reality, but we believe few are
dissatisfied to the extent of wanting to ruin Hong Kong altogether, so
we think Dr. Huang's remark represents the view of only a minority.
/TRUTH
6
TRUTH DAILY (30.3.71)
Objections to increases of water rates and the demand that Chinese
should be made an official language are mere excuses for the planting of
bombs. The bomb-planters are aiming at creating trouble and upsetting
the social stability of Hong Kong.
If the activities of these "new leftists" are not checked, Hong Kong
will not be able to enjoy pence.
On the other hand, Government should try harder in reaching the
public. Before it macs any important decisions, it should find out about
the people'.. possible reactions before-hand. The planting of bombs this
times reflects failure on the part of Government's policy.
NEW LIFE EVENING POST (30.3.71)
The increasing bomb-planting cases reflect the meaninglessness of these
activitics and the ccaulete lack of scruples of the bomb-planters.
In the beginning, bombo were directed against water rate increase,
and they won the eupathy of certain people. But now, bombs are placed
everywhere indic..iminately. When people are injured, what do the bomb-
planters gainī
It seems that the act of bomb planting has absolutely no meaning
except doing people h rm and causing them inconvenience.
WAH KIU LAN PO (70,2.71)
We severely condem. the bomb-planters and would like to warn the
law-breakers against taking advantage of the situation.
People object to increase of water rates but they object more to
such dirty, cowardize and brutal acts of violence; people want to see
Chinese made an official language, but what they want more is peace and
security. The bomb-planters, no matter who they are and what their
motives are, will be despired by the public.
It is needless to point out that these "bad elements" started the bomb
incidents with an ulterior cutive.
SING TAO MAN PO (30.3.71)
Amidst the real and fake bombs, the general public are most
concerned about the following questions:
1. Who conducted these horrifying activities?
3.
Did the slogans represent their real aims?
Did the leftists take part in these activities?
The series of recent activities in certain ways resemble those of 1967.
The Communist press so far has not mentioned one Word about them, what
does their silence signify?
/No
No matter what the source of these activities is, Government should try
its best to check this trend, and the public should keep calm.
NAM VAH MAN PO (30.3.71)
Nobody really knows the reasons behind the "bomb campaign"...t first,
people thought it was the leftists who were responsible but with the
statement given by the "leftist boss" and the silence the left-wing
press maintains, nobody is nure now. Anyway, it seems more likely that
people are playing mischieveous tricks on the Government. However,
Government ought not blame the people for objecting to water- charge
increase.
HONG KONG DAILY NEWS
(31.3.71)
What is the ulterior motive behind the bomb-plantings? It is
the sinister design of the bomb-planters to make Hong Kong confused and
to victimize the Hong Kong residents.
MING PAO (31.3.71)
If the Communists are innocent of the bomb incidents, they should
come out to clarify their attitude.
HONG KONG TIMES (31.3.71)
People despise violence.
We support the "objections to water-charge increase" and "making the
Chinese language official" issues. However, we will not tolerate
violence.
KUNG SHEUNG YAT PC (31.3.71)
Hong Kong Government should not treat everything on "Commercial
basis".
Communist Press
HONG KONG EVENING NEWS (30.3.71)
The only definite conclusion the Hong Kong Government have arrived at
about the recent bomb incidents is that they are unorganized individual
incidents.
Many speculations have been made by various newspapers in their
editorials e.g.
a.
b.
C.
Ming Pao claimed that the bomb-planter might be one of its readers
because the newspaper was tipped off by someone on the phone.
The Star claimed that it might be people who want to buy cheap stocks.
Weh Kiu Yat Po claimed that the Hong Kong Government will not back down
on the water-charge and language issues because this will
/prove
8
-
prove that violence can intimidate the Government and its people.
We believe that our readers are eager to know what we feel about the
bomb-incidents. But frankly, we are still very much in the dark. Without
investigation and study, we do not have the right to express our
opinion. However, one thing seems certain that Hill's arm will cost us
$64 million if not $100 million.
CONFIDENTIAL
+
S.H. 's Asgessment of Public 'eaction
to the
Tease of Confrontation "risoners
on 27th March, 1071
9/=
As in the case of the release of prisoners. at the end of February thero
has been little spontaneous comment, and again we have made discreet
enquiries in all districts. The interest in this latest release appears
to be even less than a month aro.
2.
The majority of those who expressed an opinion, and these were the more
educated of our contacts, favoured the move as a further shen towards
the improvement of Sino-British relations and thus to the benefit of
Hong
Kong.
3.
Adverse criticism came from a smaller group of people who saw no reason
for the release since these offenders had been dealt with in accordance
with the rue
process of the law, Such leniency could well set an unfortunate
precedent for the future. Others in this group felt that the released
prisoners should be kept under close police supervision.
4.
There is no indication at all that the release of these prisoners is in
any way associated with the
bomb incidents.
Secretariat for Home Affairs
8th April, 1971.
CONFIDENTIAL
!
19
5
J
t
:
Merent origins to a stan-
|
Since there is no
public purse for the pur-
they tend to look to a Aing to provide more than sew milion dollars'
worth of arms. ..eir obvious choice is the United utes. In fact there
are rumours in Djakarta that an agreement for a gene- rous arms
commitment by the US to Indonesia has already been reached. The goods
will arrive slowly and quietly, however, to avoid harsh reactions in
Indonesia and abroad.
Many Indonesians see the newly an nounced delivery of Soviet military
spareparts on so terms as just a move to counter the US advance. A visit
by Soviet Ambassador to Indonesia M. M. Volkov, an architect of the soft
ap pro to Central Java in mid-March Was terpreted by some to be a
similar move. Although the visit was formally announced to the
Indonesian foreign ministry, the commander of the Central Java military
district, Major-General Widodo, issued a statement blaming "several
foreigners of certain countries" for unwanted if not subversive
activities ... li.donesia.
names..
―
-
ine Djakarta weekly Chas which is said to be close to high-ranking
military authorities especially those in the field of Avulgence
published the Sovie, Ciplomats and their re- cent machinations" in
Central Java. Foreign Minister Adam Malik on the other hand tried his
own soft approach and attempted to play down the criti- cism. Despite
strong and controversial discussions in the Indonesian press at the end
of March, observers believe the issue wi.um down and will not lead to
another frost in relations between Djaku: ad Moscow. But psychological
warta..
gerpol (guerilla poli- tics), i
come to an end in Indon
probably never will.
HONG
Caught in
:
C.usfire
LY A CORRESPONDENT
kong: Not since 1967 when the Revolution turmoil overflowed
y's streets had Hongkong attack of the jitters. A Skibuy-made oomo which
blasted off a ponceman's right hand signalled the start of a series of
"bomb" scares this week. Within four days police checked more than 50
suspected bombs. Most of them were innocuous bundles of news papers
..other arucles which the public
FA.
TAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
The Star, Hongkong
PAL jet on a forced trip to China: The last of the week's series of
headaches for Peking.
had mistaken for explosives. Several were simulated bombs decked out
with slogans.
But there was no doubt about the
first object discovered. Planted outside the Central Government Offices,
it was accompanied by several slogans in Chinese: "Respect public
opinion. Don't raise water prices. Make Chinese official language.
Compatriots keep clear." British police officer Norman Hill, a veteran
in the business, attempt- ed to dismantle it, apparently misjudged his
task, and is now recovering in hospi- (al, his right hand and wrist
amputated. in the initial shock wave which ran through the colony, share
prices tum- bled, and fears were expressed that a reign of terror was
beginning.
This seemed unlikely, if only because it was difficult to see who would
benefit by such violence. Indeed, at first glance, the incidents
appeared singularly sense- less. Although the "compatriots keep clear"
warning had a familiar (1967) ring about it, official circles indirectly
exonerated the communists for the blast. There seemed no reason to doubt
them.
The communists have steered clear of the campaign to gain proper
recognition of the Chinese language and made only conventional noises
about Financial Secretary Sir John Cowperthwaite's move to raise water
charges. In addition, the bomb outrage coincided with the release of two
communists jailed for their part in the 1967 disturbances and the
announcement that six more would be out shortly, following pressure from
London on the Hongkong government.
Neither local communists nor Peking would want to jeopardise this
tangible effort by Britain to improve relations. It is highly likely,
however, that Governor Sir David Trench will have some hard words for
Whitehall; he has opposed an amnesty for the communist prisoners,
arguing it would only make keeping of law and order more difficult.
cent evidence suggests Taiwan elements have the expertise, the equipment
and the grievance against the authorities to push them to violent
action. Three weeks ago a self-confessed Kuomintang agent was jailed for
two-and-a-half years for possessing an impressive arsenal of guns and
explosives. The police were almost certainly tipped off by the com-
munists.
Chinese language campaigners have painstakingly avoided conflict with
the law. Once again Hongkong is caught in a deadly ideological
crossfire. Aware of how thin the ice is, the government is playing it
very cool. Sentencing the Tai- wan agent, Commissioner Simon Li stressed
Hongkong could not "afford to allow our city to be used as a place of
political intrigue by either one or the other faction of a foreign
power. That is the only way we can preserve a pro. per balance of
peace." In the colony's bizarre geopolitical situation, the latest
events demonstrate just how precario is that balance is.
While the communists' smile cam- paign to eradicate their violent image
created in 1967 suffered a setback, Tuesday saw Hongkong face China with
an even more embarrassing problem. A Philippine Airlines jet was
hijacked to Hongkong and the pilot forced to fly on to Canton after
refuelling. Peking in the past has stated privately its firm opposi-
tion to air pirates but is currently in the middle of a campaign to
support Fil- pino communists.
The plane returned to the colony on Wednesday without the six student
hi- jackers who were disarmed by Chinese troops after landing at Canton.
The Chinese traffic control spoke English and the pilot had no problems
in getting in and out of the airport. The unexpected guests spent a
comfortable night lodged and fed at China's expense, with even the two
American couples on board full of praise for the hospitality they had
been shown. The incident was dismissed in an official statement from
Canton as "illegal" intrusion but "the Chinese gov ernment decided to
give lenient treat-
One theory is that the bombers are hard-line communist extremists
disillu- sioned by the thaw in Sino-British rela- tions. Another that
they are Taiwan agents deliberately seeking to embarrassment, ordering
the plane to leave China communists and British. Certainly, re-
quickly." The hijackers stayed behind.
APRIL 3, 1971
¦
H. Ball
&
Mr Boll
K.271.
PA
bout file.
1/26
28.4.11.
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SECRET
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Mr Mlford
Sir L Monéon
BOMB INCIDENTS IN HONG KONG
I
The Governor has sent us a detailed assessment of the
cause of the recent "bomb" incidents.
2. Kr Gaminara has analysed the situation in his minute to me
I agree in general with his remarks.
of 30 April.
3.
It is most unfortunate that the renewal of the defence contribution
agreement has come up at a time when so many other
possible causes of trouble are in the offing.
Mr P Y Tang
The
made this point recently when he called on Mr Royle. danger is of course
that in an atmosphere such as that described by the Governor the
announcement of any new figure
for the defence contribution might spark off trouble.
Governor is eeurse well aware of this and when we come
ou
The
nearer to reaching agreement with the Unofficial Members he
will obviously have this point in mind.
4. As Kr FacLehose mentioned this morning at our meeting with
him the failure in communications between the Government and
the people is one of the first things he will have to look at. 5. We
shall of course arrange for Mr MacLehose to see these
papers when he comes to the office next month.
Eɣana
ビ
E O Laird
Hong Kongepartment
4 May 1971
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