(c) For these reasons it is impossible for H.M.G. to
acquiesce in a situation comparable with what has recently developed in
Macao, Unless more effective control can be exercised over the way in
which Hong Kong workers express their grievances, there are dangers of a
collision which could destroy Hong Kong as an economic entity and also
have serious inter- national repercussions.
Distribution
(Passed as requested)
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Hall
Mr. Carter
Mr. Russell
J.I.C. External Distribution
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Mr. Denson
SECRET
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s)
12 May, 1967.
WB
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)....
Flash
Despatched
XSAO
14492
Secret
Restricted
Uncheshties
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair Gode
Cypher
Draft Telegram to:- GOVR HONG KANG
No.....
(Date)
And to:-
Repeat to:-
Saving
66
(:2)
匹
Distribution:-
As for H.K. K.No.
$89.
Copies to:
IK
there is any possible danger in emphaseour
13/57
damage to economy of Kong Hong
[Secur
ation]
Security classification"
if any
[ Privacy marking
-if any
[Codeword-if any]
GOVERNOR,
/+14+547
f
Hồng Kong.
1 2 MAY 1967
1 HKG 380
Addressed to...Governor, Hong Kong.
telegram No.....
699
H
..(date)
repeated for information to Peking (Flash)
FOLAD, Singapore.(Provilų)
1
Mani
Saving to....
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Your telegram No.589.
vens
# We have discussed with F.0.9 follany are our agreed 2. We agree that
dispute appears to be spontaneous
and local in origin. It appears to us that every advantage
lies in securing a settlement at the local level.
Lendon or
3.
We think that any approach in/Peking on the lines
suggested will lead to escalation,obliging the C.P.G.to
come out in support. They would lay the blame entirely on
us and insist that we accede to all local demands. Such
an approach would open the door wide for Peking to start
bargaining on such matters as provision of facilities for
U.S. ships and visits of troops, return of illegal
immigrants and handing over of E.M.T. agents. We could
expect their reply to be followed by an all-out propaganda
campaign against the Hong Kong Government.
Therefor think it much safer
We-much-prefer that representations should be made
Fe
through local channels (your telegram No.592 refers). snapper you will
han exsident carefully you think there in krall,
hope that in any further exchanges through this channel you
octant refunds & Macau? Situation
#222 avoid Comparisons between the present in Hong Kong
12 avoid comparisons between the
SCORE
We felt some doubts ar this scan, but au
carter & quided by your' podfecvent.
fand
114
4.
гой For vie
We would be grateful for views of
★M. Charge d'Affaires, Peking.
Prose ps
PSA for repetition
and POLAD Singayton)
Petang
H. We have just
seem
SECER.
Peking
telegram No. 474 to Foreign
Office which supports above views
Alai
Sir a. Galsworth
Mr. Hall
ванет
L
Russell
Jesson
JIC Externe sexin.
also sun his
Copies
FO. (FED)
mr. de tu mate
W. Denson
L
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
S SERVICE
and without tearing
IP AND BOTTOM
Cypher
SECRET
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Sent 12th May 1967. 14492
13
(15)
FLASH SECRET No.899
(12)
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong
Repeated for information to Peking (FLASH)
+1
Your telegram No.589.
POLAD, Singapore (PRIORITY)
We have discussed with Foreign Office and following are our agreed
views, subject to views of Chargé d'Affaires, Peking.
2. We agree that dispute appears to be spontaneous and local in origin.
It appears to us that every advantage lies in securing a settlement at
the local level.
3.
We think that any approach in London or Peking on the lines suggested
will lead to escalation, obliging the C.P.G. to come out in support.
They would lay the blame entirely on us and insist that we accede to all
local demands. Such an approach would open the door wide for Peking to
start bargaining on such matters as provision of facilities for U.S.
ships and visits of troops, return of illegal immigrants and handing
over of K.M.T. agents. We could expect their reply to be followed by an
all-out propaganda campaign against the Hong Kong Government.
4. We therefore think it much safer that representations should be made
through local channels (your telegram No.592 refers). Do you think there
is possible danger in emphasising damage to economy of Hong Kong or
making actual references to Macau? We felt some doubts on this score,
but are careful to be guided by your judgment.
5. We have just seen Peking telegram No.474 to Foreign Office which
supports above views.
(Passed to D.S.A.0. for repetition to Peking and
POLAD Singapore)
Distribution:-
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Hall
Mr. Carter
Mr. Russell
Mr. Jerrom
LAST
REF.
J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
MIXT
ва
REF.
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SECRET
Cypher
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 12th May 1967
R. 12th
09052
MAY
1
12
5
CONFIDENTIAL COPY FOR REGISTRATION
No.590
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
tt
"Peking No.208
"POLAD Singapore No.75
(S. of S. please pass to both)
My telegram No.581.
Kowloon Disturbances.
14
Disturbances recommenced about midday and I have ordered a curfew
covering the disturbed area of North East Kowloon, same area as last
night, from 18.00 hours this evening to 04.30 hours tomorrow morning.
Crowds consist largely of youths and others not apparently connected
with any industrial dispute.
2. Police intermittently have to deal with two or three incidents
simultaneously involving groups of 2 - 300. Situation is being contained
at present (16.30 hours) neither noticeably worsening nor improving.
Fourteen police companies are presently engaged.
3. Gas shells have been fired in twelve incidents between 13.00 hours
and 16.00 hours. One police inspector, one sergeant, 15 P.C.s injured, 2
P.C.s detained in hospital. Several civilians have also been injured.
(Passed as requested)
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43
12 MAL
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I
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11
=
Mr. Foggon
CONFIDENTIAL
F
8
16+ (17)
!
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COKMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
Do Ro
πt
12th May, 1967. 12th
tt
1030Z
IMMEDIATE SECRET No. 592.
Addressed to Commonwealth office. Repeated "Peking No. 210.
HAY
J
ハ
"
11 POLAD Singapore No. 77.
please pass to both).
(S. of S.
12__
My telegram No. 589.
Kowloon Disturbances.
I saw R.C. Lee (ex unofficial member of Executive Council with good
left-wing contacts) this afternoon and discussed general situation with
him, since he has shown himself willing to act as intermediary during
last few days.
2. He had already seen Leung Wai Lam (head of China News Agency) and
endeavoured to persuade him that the alleged new policy of Hong Kong of
concerted action against left wing was a complete fiction: and had tried
to explain police position in industrial disputes to him. Leung had said
that it would greatly help if (a) those arrested were all released and
(b) police undertook to play no part whatever in industrial disputes.
Lee had, in reply, endeavoured to point that in respect of (a) the
Government could not interfere with the courts and (b) that police had
to maintain order if breaches of the peace occurred. He had also
reassured Leung on several minor points he had raised and where there
had been misunderstanding.
3. I asked Lee to tell his contacts that he had spoken to me;
that I was at a loss to understand the allegations of a new hostile
policy; that there was no substance in these charges and generally to
speak to them along the lines suggested in latter part of my telegram
No. 589.
24. I do not know what effect this may have, nor how quickly, but at
least it may do some good and can do little harm.
5. In respect of paragraph 2 above, P.C. Woo (solicitor, Member of
Legislative Council and temporary member of
REC this evening to explain the legal position in regard to (i)
Executive Council) is seeing Fai Yee Man (editor of Ta Kung Pao) those
persons awaiting trial and (ii) the police in respect of industrial
disputes. Mr. Woo is known to have represented left wing, interests, and
particularly Ta Kung Pao, from time to time/on legal matters.
ARCHI
་་.
(Passed as requested)
16
SECRET
12
Distribution
)
SECRET
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Cypher
COPY CA
STRATION
16
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 12th May 1967 R. 12th 11
14592.
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No.593
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
14
Repeated Peking No.211
TI POLAD Singapore No.78
(C.O. please pass to both)
14
My telegram No.590.
Kowloon Disturbances.
Curfew proving effective and areas are
generally quiet although there is the odd scattered incident. Three
police companies on patrol.
(Passed as requested)
Distribution
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Cabinet Office
D.1.0. J.I.R.
Foreign Office Mr. de la Mare
11
Mr. Denson
tt
Mr. Wilson
11
Mr. Foggon
CONFIDENTIAL
рад
Cypher/Cat A
FLASH PEKING ΤΟ
elno 474
SECRET
SECRET
FORSIGN OFFICE
12 May 1967
Iba
K
HWA 1/1
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 474 of 12 May, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong and Singapore.
Hong Kong telegram No. 589 to Commonwealth Office. Disturbances in Hong
Kong.
1 see disadvantages in making an approach to the Chinese at this stage.
All the indications are that they have been taken by surprise and the
fact that the mainland Press hes still not reported the incidents
suggests that they have still not decided here to play the sit.tion.
2. An approach by us now would be likely to be regarded as un indication
of nervousness and weakness and would be an encouragement to the Chinese
to believe that they could score another cheap. victory on the Macao
pattern. Koreover, the cooler heads within the Chinese leadership will
already be aware of the considerations set out in paragraph 5 of
telegram under reference.
3. Difficult though it may be, I would therefore recommend that we ride
out the storm for the time being.
4. If, nevertheless, a decision is taken to make an approach to the
Chinese, I would urge that this is likely to be done more effectively in
London than here, where it could well take several days before they
granted me an interview.
Foreign Office pass Flash to Hong Kong 330.
Mr. Hopson
Sent 1200 12 May
Recd 1311z 12 May
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O.
F.E.D.
D.D. & P.U.S.D.
J.I.R.D.
C.O.
•
D.T.D.
NIJIH
F.E. & P.D.
SECRET
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
HENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
TELEGRAM NO.
188.474 900 474-900
En Clair
IMMEDIATE
No.594
17
A
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 13th May 1967 R. 13th
0340Z
3
川
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
11
Peking No.212
"POLAD Singapore No.79
My telegram No.590.
Kowloon Disturbances.
Situation remained generally quiet throughout night in curfew area
and elsewhere. Curfew remained effective until lifted at 04.30 hours
with only isolated cases of curfew
breaking. A series of minor incidents occurred at the
Tung Tau Resettlement Estate in early hours created by crowds comprised
mainly of youths.
For the period 08.00 on 12th May to 06.00 hours today arrests
totalled 106 and 231 gas shells and 104 wooden projectiles fired. 17
policemen injured, none seriously and no civilian casualties. One person
found on first floor balcony of a resettlement block in Wong Tai Sin
with fractured
Cannot
skull at 18.32 on 12 May subsequently died in hospital. be definitely
categorised as a riot casualty. investigated further.
curfew.
This case being
No incidents have been reported since raising of
Distribution
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BOX
Mr. Foggon
110
Cypher
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 13th May 1967 R. 13th tt
03402
MAY
1967
PRIORITY SECRET
No.595
(10)
Addressed to Commonwealth Office Repeated
"Peking No. 213
LAST
REF
RIF.
47
POLAD Singapore No.80 (S. of S. please pass to both)
My telegram No.583: Kowloon Disturbances.
The tone of the left-wing press, in particular the
C.P.G.-controlled semi-official Ta Kung Pao and the Wen Wei Pao, has
steadily deteriorated over the past week or so but has not previously
reached the level of vituperation of yesterday's editoriale. These are
now being carefully studied by my advisers.
2. Subject to considered legal opinion of the evidence in detail, it
seems more than likely that it will be found to provide grounds for the
prosecution of both papers either for seditious publications under
section 4 of the Sedition Ordinance (Cap.217) or for attempts to cause
disaffection in the police under section 62 of the Police Force
Ordinance (Cap.232) or both. In any event, this situation seems certain
to arise fairly soon, at the present rate of deterioration, unless steps
can be taken to stop it. There is also a possibility of these papers
coming into contempt of court.
3. We are making every effort through informal contacts and
intermediaries to get it across to the left-wing leadership that the
present line taken by the press is risking a major confrontation.
Nevertheless, it is now necessary to examine the implications of a
further deterioration.
4. There are, of course, risks that prosecutions may, even if resulting
in convictions, fail to prove an adequate deterrent or to achieve any
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.