ADVANCE COPIES SENT:
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 19 May 1967
11
1230Z
PRIORITY
R. 19 it
SECRET
No.649
2.
189
AWB1/17
Orijued a FP7/200/1
Banking Situation.
Further to paragraph 4 of my telegram No.632.
80
3. Since yesterday withdrawals have continued but not too excessively
except at Sheung Shiu (N.T.) branch of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation which experienced a run due to deliberate rumours that bank
was running out of cash and invasion scare. Story was played up by a
Left-wing evening newspaper and repeated this morning by other Left-wing
papers but not by majority of other papers. Statement issued over radio
at midday to effect that rumours were unfounded appears to have had
calming effect though withdrawals are continuing but at a slightly
reduced rate. Bank note issue has been expanded by a further £7 million
since yesterday. All banks are orderly and since this morning there have
been no queues. U.S. dollars T.T. price has risen further to dollars
5.94 and gold to dollars 280 per tael.
4. Unissued reserves of notes in the Colony amount to about dollars 300
million and another dollars 400 million will be arriving over the
weekend. This will leave a reserve in the U.K. of about dollars 450
million.
5. If the situation deteriorates further however we might wish to make
Bank of England notes legal tender as was done in February 1965 and I
should be grateful if the Bank could be forewarned of the possibility
that they may be asked to supply us with sterling notes for use in Hong
Kong. I consider this possibility remote at present but situation could
change.
6.
Legislation to limit the amounts of payments in cash from the banks
has been drafted and is being kept in readiness but present indications
are that it is unlikely to be needed.
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Mr. Foggon
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rt
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Cypher
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 19 May 1967 R. 19 11
1 325Z
1967
90
RECEIVED IN ARCHI 11 63
IMMEDIATE
SECRET
No.650
Repeated
ti
ti
Addressed to Commonweal th Office
"Peking No. 243
"POLAD Singapore No.110 "Washington No.125
(S. of S. please pass to all)
My telegram No.632.
80
SITREP as at 19/1900 hours.
Confrontation with the Left-wing.
They
1/2
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 Mao 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 demonstrators
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 the
se 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 Left-wing emphasis is now on
propaganda. Clearly the recent heartening gestures 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.
80 101
SECRET
рад
140
SECRET
At the
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 demonstratí against my gates, and let them see where
it gets them. worst, it is confining the trouble to one spot. The risk
is, 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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En Clair
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Press)
D. 19 May 1967 R. 19 tr
1500Z
RECEIVED IN ADIN 63. 22 MAY/5/
(91)
HWA 1/17
Life throughout the Colony has remained peaceful for the second day
running and no (repeat no) violent incidents 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 very 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.
DAD
/A11
į
All other schools which normally have Saturday
morning classes will be open as usual tomorrow.
Today the China Mail published the following editorial: Hong Kong's
people have left no doubt about whe 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
doom" 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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RESTRICTED
Cypher/Cat A
MOSCOW TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Te no 833 19 May, 1967
RESTRICTED
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 833 of 19 May.
Repeated for information to:
Peking
Washington
Hong Kong
POLAD Singapore.
192
Peking telegrams Nos. 85 and 86 [sic].
There has so far been no mention in the Soviet Central Press of the
disturbances in Hong Kong and the anti-British demonstrations
in China.
Foreign Office pass Peking No. 29, Washington No. 61,
Hong Kong No. 12 and POLAD Singapore No. 14.
Sir G. Harrison
[Repeated as requested].
F.0./C.0./WH DISTRIBUTION
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H401/17
PAD
SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
TELEGRAM NO.
976
.
SECRET
CYPHER/CAT A
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO CANBERRA
FLASH
TELNO 1105
SECRET.
19 MAY 1967 (HWB F.E. & P.D.)
ADDRESSED TO CANBERRA TELEGRAM NO.1105 OF 19 MAY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG OTTAWA WASHINGTON PEKING AND POLAD
SINGAPORE.
$2 8
10A3/1
1/12
HONG KONG TELEGRAMS NOS.638, 645 AND 647: KOWLOON DISTURBANCES.
PLEASE TAKE VERY URGENTLY THE INIATIVE SUGGESTED BY GOVERNOR, HONG KONG.
WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION HERE (PARAGRAPH 2 OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM
NO.638) WITH EITHER THE AUSTRALIANS OR THE CANADIANS.
2.
2. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED TO THE AUSTRALIANS THAT WE ARE NOT IN ANY WAY
TRYING TO FRUSTRATE THE DEAL, BUT ONLY ASKING THEM TO GO SLOW IN
CONCLUDING IT. PLEASE EMPHASISE ALSO THE IMPORTANCE WE ATTACH TO THIS.
IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL IF THEY WOULD INSTRUCT THEIR DELEGATION IN HONG
KONG TO KEEP IN CLOSEST TOUCH WITH THE
GOVERNOR REGARDING THE TIMING OF THE DEAL.
3. THE SHORT POINT IS THAT IF DEAL GOES THROUGH NOW CHINESE WILL
CONCLUDE THAT IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL IN SPITE OF THEIR BEASTLINESS,
WHEREAS IF IT IS HELD UP THEY MAY THINK AGAIN. YOU COULD ADD THAT WE
KNOW THE GREAT IMPORTANCE THE AUSTRALIANS ATTACH
TO THE STABILITY OF THE AREA. WE WOULD THEREFORE HOPE THAT THEY
WOULD FEEL ABLE TO DO WHATEVER THEY COULD TO ASSIST US TO MAINTAIN OUR
POSITION IN HONG KONG.
CROSEC SENT 17372 19 MAY
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82 87
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འ
HUAILL
SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAN
NO.
971
193
CYPHER/CAT 'A'
IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON
TELEGRAM NO. 1681
SECRET
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
19 MAY 1967
94
SECRET.
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 1681 OF 19 MAY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION IMMEDIATE TO CANBERRA AND HONG KONG.
HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 647 TO C.R.O.: AUSTRALIAN WHEAT SALES
• TO CHINA.
HWA D/N.
WE HAVE LEARNT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY, WITHOUT REVEALING THE
INFORMATION IN HONG KONG TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE, THAT AS A RESULT OF
AN ENQUIRY FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF
HOLDING UP THE AUSTRALIAN WHEAT DEAL, THE AUSTRALIANS HERE ASKED FOR
GUIDANCE FROM CANBERRA AND WERE TOLD VERY FIRMLY (WE DO NOT KNOW BY WHAT
DEPARTMENT) THAT THE PROPOSED DEAL WAS A PURELY COMMERCIAL MATTER
CONDUCTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN WHEAT BOARD AND THAT GOVERNMENTAL
INTERVENTION COULD RAISE THE QUESTION OF COMMERCIAL CONFIDENCE. THE
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY COMMENTED THAT THIS REPLY HAD PROBABLY BEEN SENT
BEFORE THE OFFICIALS CONCERNED OR THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS HAD
FULLY UNDERSTOOD THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT WAS NOW TAKING PLACE
IN HONG KONG. THE EMBASSY HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US. WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THE SIZE OF THE DEAL IS IN THE ORDER OF TWO MILLION
TONS,
F O PASS IMMEDIATE CANBERRA 23 HONG KONG 69.
SIR P. DEAN
SENT AT 19/1755Z RECD AT 19/1755Z
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED].
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SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM
NO.
974
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 63
2 3AFK Iyo/
SECRET 7
(95
CHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE OTTAWA
TELEGRAM NO. 656
SECRET
TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
19 MAY 1967
ADDSD TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 656 OF 19 MAY RFI HONG KONG
CANBERRA WASHINGTON PEKING AND POLAD SINGAPORE.
YOUR TELEGRAM 1464.
KOWLOON DISTURBANCES.
IN VIEW OF IMPENDING LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND HERE WE ASKED DEA IF THERE WAS
ANYTHING IN REPORT THAT CANADIANS WERE RECONSIDERING THEIR WHEAT DEALS
(HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.638 TO CO). THEY SAID THERE WAS NO REPT NO
FOUNDATION FOR REPORT.
(82)
2. OUR OWN VIEW IS THAT CANADIANS WOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER A REQUEST
FROM US FOR A GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY, BUT FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS SEEM
RELEVANT :-
(A)
THERE ARE NO CHINESE/CANADIAN DISCUSSIONS GOING ON AT PRESENT,
UNDERSTAND TRADITIONAL PATTERN IS THAT CHINESE TURN TO CANADA AFTER THEY
HAVE TALKED WITH AUSTRALIA:
(B) ANY GESTURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY THEY COULD MAKE WOULD PROBABLY
NOT SHOW EFFECT FOR SOME TIME:
(C) IN PAST CANADIANS HAVE REGARDED FOOD AS LAST THING TO BE BROUGHT
INTO PLAY AS A POLITICAL PRESSURE:
UNDERSTAND QUESTION OF FOOD SUPPLIES DID NOT ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH
PAST DIFFICULTIES WITH CHINA, E.G. DURING THEIR ATTACK ON INDIA: (D)
THEY WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING ABOUT OUR TRADE AND
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN CHINA:
(E) MUCH WOULD DEPEND ON OUR ASSESSMENT OF SERIOUSNESS OF THREAT TO
FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
CO PASS HONG KONG M101 CANBERRA 3 PEKING M102 POLAD SINGAPORE M103.
SIR H LINTOTT
SENT AT 1940/19 MAY 1967
RECD AT 1941/19 MAY 1967
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
[COPIES SENT TO NO. 10 DOWNING STREET]
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
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C.O. F.E. & P.D.
SO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D,T,D.) TELEGRAM
R.D.
983 T.D.
NOTD
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明
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2B.
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s).
NIPS 196
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
19 May, 1967.
Despatched
Secret
Res Mirand
Wifthsfied
"Eimer City, Immediateli
1920012 BAL Passed OSAO for afte
1922112
IMMEDIATE
As for
H.K. tel.
No
626
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
[
Security classification
SECRET
Gods Cypher
[Codeword-if any】
Draft Telegram 10:-
Addressed to
GOVERNOR, HONG KONG
HK 380
GOVERNOR, HONG
telegram No.
967.
(date) ...
No...
And to...
Immediate
(Date)
And to:-
964ONG
Repeat to: (1) PEKING
(2) POLAD,
Singapore
(3) WASHINGTON
(ROUTINE)
Saving to:-
Distribution:-
HK wise
(340)
Coples to:-
By
1200
++/5
repeated for informationto
(1) Peking, (2) POLAD, Singapore,
(3) Washington
(ROUTINE)
Saving to
Following from Garner.
Your tel. No. 641.
Kowloon Disturbances.
I have discussed the latest situation and
your telegram with Commonwealth Secretary. May I
all say at once how concerned we 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).
2. We are most grateful for your thoughts on the
longer term problems and entirely agree that they
will need very serious thought,
3.
all
We entirely 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 hope this will be convenient to you and they
give you all the hel
p ther
will
CM.
+
14.
We
4.
We are sure you will agree with us that it would be desirable to avoid
publicity for this official visit, if at all possible. We hope means can
be found of avoiding
the Press at airport.
POLAD Singapore (Passed to DSAO for Paking,
POLAD Sing
and Washington,
wash and
C
(83247) (2) 300M 10/05 St.S.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.