fco-40-45-kowloon-disturbances — Page 9

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FACTORY APPEARED AT 1030 HOURS AT SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY. THIS

Aw MORNING. ALL CHARGED UNLVAFUL ASSEMBLY, 4 ADDITIONALLY CHARGED WITH
COMMON ASSAULT AND 2 INTIMIDATION. A CROWD OF ABOUT 150 SPECTATORS

HAD ASSEMBLED IN COURT. WHEN MAGISTRATE ENTERED THEY STARTED

CHANTING MAO'S THOUGHTS AND A FURTHER CROWD OF ROUGHLY THE SAME NUMBER
WHO WERE OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM JOINED IN. THE MAGISTRATE ADJOURNED 15
MINUTES LATER HE RETURNED BUT THE CHANTING CONTINUED. HE AGAIN ADJOURNED
UNTIL 1430 HOURS. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUT-

TIONS CONSULTED MAGISTRATE AND APPLIED FOR HEARING IN THE ABSENGE OF
GENERAL PUBLIC EXCEPT PRESS. MAGISTRATE AGREED. COURT RESUMED AT In 1440
HOURS. Wzrovazt

Band

DATERS-AND

BARA HOURS REPORTERS AND 2 MEN AND 2 WOMEN REPRESENTING A

T

CROWD OF SOME 200 OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM WERE ADMITTED. BY 1530

HOURS THIS CROWD INCREASED TO ABOUT 300 WITH ANOTHER 800 WATCHING

NEARBY. THE CROWD IN THE VICINITY OF COURTROOM CHANTED MAols

THOUGHTS AND SANG REVOLUTIONARY SONGS. THEY APPEARED WELL ORGANISED.

AT ABOUT 1715 HOURS, THE COURT STILL SITTING, THE CROWD STARTED TO

DISPERSE. COURT CLOSED AT 17,40 HOURS AFTER ONLY 2 PROSECUTION

WITNESSES HAD BEEN HEARD. THE 17 PERSONS DETAINED WERE OFERED BAIL

OPERED

AND EACH RELEASED ON A PERSONAL RECOGNISANCE OF HK DOLLARS 200 TO

APPEAR AT 0900 HOURS TOMORROW, 17TH MAY. THE 3 ON BAIL HAVE HAD

BAIL RENEWED, REMAINDER OF CROWD DISPERSED PEACEFULLY.

GOVERNOR

PAP

+

En Clair

PRIORITY No.617

INWARD TELEGRAM

46

COPY FOR RESISTRATION

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 16 May 1967

R. 16

0930Z

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

MAY

1967

10

12

2.

Repeated

!!

Peking No.227

"POLAD Singapore No.96

The Left-wing papers this morning (16 May) devote their front pages to
the text of the M.F.A. statement and to reports of demonstrations of
support in Peking and Canton.

2. The Wen Wei Pao editorial takes the line that the expression of
support by the Chinese Government should reinforce the confidence of
local patriots, who are today "definitely not alone". It goes on to
repeat the allegation that the police action was part of a planned move
against the Left-wing and says that "after the event Trench engaged in
sophistry in defending 'the law' and the maintenance of law and order'.
Who will believe these "fine words"?" It concludes: "The Chinese people
are not to be trifled with. The Chinese people mean what they say. If
the British authorities insist on going ahead they will fall into the
great sea of the people's anti- persecution struggle a tragic end". The
Wen Wei Pao also has a commentary about an incident in which it is
alleged two reporters of the Ta Kung Pao were beaten up by "plain
clothes special agents" yesterday. The commentary says that this
incident took place just after the Foreign Ministry had issued its
statement and was therefore particularly serious.

"This
was obviously the British authorities in Hong Kong using their running
dogs and was a planned and premeditated prelude to an escalation of
their atrocities",

-

30 The Ta Kung Pao editorial repeats the standard allegations and says
in part that the masses on the streets in the Sanpokong and other areas
were not afraid of tear gas or police batons; delegations going to
Government House to protest are more and more frequent; anti-persecution
struggle organisa- tions are being set up in companies, factories, and
units..... therefore the patriotic compatriots throughout Hong Kong are
responding to the call of their brother workers, are making all
preparations to enter into a new struggle.

Distribution

H.K. W.I.D. 'C' I.G.D.

J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Cabinet Office - D.1.0. J.I.R.

LAST

REF

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63

Foreign Office

-

Mr. de la Mare

11

11

Mr. Denson

MAR

Mr. Wilson

it

Mr. Foggon

12

11

Mr. Bolland

Hong Kong Government office -ir. Box 17

Han 'In

нил

SECRET

47

Cypher Cat A

ORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 483

SECRET

15 May, 1967

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.483 of 15 May, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Hong Kong telegram No.595 to C.0. : Action against Left Wing Press.

The Chinese Government would naturally regard any action against their
mouthpieces in Hong Kong as a further provocative act. I would therefore
recommend that if possible no decision on this should be taken for the
present until it is seen how the Chinese intend to proceed in Hong Kong,
and as long as there is any hope of a compromise. On the other hand I
well understand that this may become inevitable if the security
situation in Hong Kong deteriorates further.

Mr. Hopson

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

D.D. & P.U.S.D.

J.I.R.D.

NEWS DEPT.

D.T.D.

Sent 08102/15 May Recd 11097/15 May

88888

SECRET

LAST

RIF.

MAT

NEF.

(18)

вад

t

A

En Clair

IMMEDIATE PERING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 487 16 Kay 1967

UNCLASSIFIED

48

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 487 of to Lay Repeated for
information to Hong Kong, FULAD Singapore and Washington.

Demonstrations against this Mission began on night of 15 May and were
resumed on a bigger scale this morning. There is a small static group at
the gates of the Office and of my house and a constant procession of
demonstrators passing along the road.

2. The walls of Chancery, my house, staff quarters and many other parts
of Peking are liberally plastered with posters supporting the Chinese
Foreign Ministry statement and condemning activities of British and Hong
Kong Governments. Slogans, some in English, include "Down with Wilson",
"The Debt of Blood Must be Paid". Loudspeaker vans are also broadcasting
continually.

3.

The Chinese staff and personal servants have ceased work and joined the
demonstrators. Some of the Chinese staff asked me or a member of
Chancery to receive a petition at the main gate.

I sent a message to leave their petitions at the Guards' desk, after
which one of our interpreters read out the protest in the name of the
Chinese staff over the loudspeakers.

4. Peters, who was in Canton for the closing of the Trade Fair walked
out of the final reception when the Chinese speaker referred to the Hong
kong disturbances in similar terms to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
statement.

5. There are slogans and demonstrations outside the Shanghai Office and
Hewitt has received a telephone message from the Shanghai Foreign
Affairs Department expressing resolute support of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs statement warning him to expect to receive protests and
calling on him to "show a correct attitude".

Mr. Hopson

Sent 04452/16 May Received 0620/16 May

FO/CO/WH/DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

PPPPP

LAET

kor

ADVANCE COPIES SENT

PAR

CONFIDENTIAL

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

L.

Cypher

D. 16 May, 1967. R. 16

I

1 250Z

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL

No. 618

Sea doc. 45

Repeated

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

זן

Peking No.228,

10

I

P.A. Singapore No.97, Washington No.114

473

MAY 1967

R

5 3

49

(please pass to all).

Kowloon Disturbances.

20 persons arrested on 6th May outside Hong Kong artificial flower
factory appeared at 10.30 hours at South Kowloon Magistracy this
morning. All charged unlawful assembly, 4 additionally charged with
common assault and

2 intimidation. A crowd of about 150 spectators had assembled in court.
When Magistrate entered they started chanting Mao's thoughts and a
further crowd of roughly the same number who were outside the courtroom
joined in. The Magistrate adjourned. Fifteen minutes later he returned
but the chanting continued. He again adjourned until 14.30 hours.
Director of Public Prosecutions consulted Magistrate and applied for
hearing in the absence of general public except press. Magistrate
agreed. Court resumed at 14.40 hours. Reporters and 2 men and 2 women
representing a crowd of some

200 outside the courtroom were admitted. By 15.30 hours this crowd
increased to about 300 with another 800 watching nearby. The crowd in
the vicinity of courtroom chanted thoughts and sang revolutionary songs.
They appeared well organised. At about 17.15 hours, the court still
sitting, the crowd started to disperse. Court closed at 17.40 hours
after only 2 prosecution witnesses had been heard. The 17 persons
detained were offered bail and each released on a personal recognisance
of H. K. dollars 200 to appear at 09.00 hours tomorrow, 17th May. The 3
on bail have had bail renewed. Remainder of crowd dispersed peacefully.

أصه

Mao's

Wohngtä

(Passed to D.3.A.0. for Peking and Singapore PRIORITY

and as advance copies to Messrs. de la Mafe,

Bolland and Wilson)

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63 17 MAY1967

HWA 1/17

/Distribution

CONFIDENTIAL

LACT

62.

:

CONFIDENTIAL

H.K.W.I.D. 'C'

Distribution

-

I.G.D.

J.1.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:-

D.I.O., J.I.R. Mr. de la Mare

Cabinet Office

Foreign Office

Mr. Denson

#

H

=

ון

H

11

==

=

-

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Foggon

Mr. Bolland

CONFIDENTIAL

1

En Clair

HANOI

Telno 314

ΤΟ

UNCLASSIFIED

FOREIGN OFFICE

15 May 1967

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 314 of 15 May, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong, Washington, Saigon.

Peoples' Daily of 14 May protested against "repression of Chinese in
Hong Kong by British Authorities" (strikes) adding that this is
"associated with United States warships calling at Hong Kong turning
Hong Kong into base in service of United States aggressive war".

Mr. Colbin

Sent 1030 15 May

Recd 11372 15 May

FO/CO/WH DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

NNNNN

T

вава

51

En lair

IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 484 15 May 1967

UNCLASSIFIED

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 484 of 15 May Repeated for
information to Hong Kong, POLAD Singapore, Washington.

Front page of People's Daily of 15 May carries full text of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs statement (my telegrams Nos.

(10)(31) 478 and 479).

2.

Accompanying commentator article alleges that the Kowloon incidents were
planned by the Hong Kong authorities. It also points out that the
British Government have ignored repeated warnings about the use of Hong
Kong as an American base and have conducted all sorts of anti-Chinese
activities' in the Colony. If the British Government dares to make an
enemy of the 700 million Chinese people they will be lifting up a rock
to drop on their own feet.

3.

The Chinese people absolutely will not tolerate the oppression of their
compatriots in Hong Kong. The oppressive actions of the British
authorities only shows their weakness.

4. At present the Hong kong authorities are not only refusing to
recognise their guilt but are attempting to extend the scope of the
situation. Article seriously warns the authorities that the Chinese
people cannot be insulted and that the debts of blood must be repaid.

5.

Article then repeats the demands made in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
statement and concludes with a warning that if the Hong Kong authorities
do not 'rein in their horses on the brink of the precipice.. there can
certainly be no good outcome'

6.

Page 2 carries two NCNA articles datelined Hong kong 14 May, First is a
long account of the Kowloon incidents starting from 6 May and second
reports protest lodged by the Hong Kong office of NCNA about alleged
attacks by Hong kong police on NCNA reporters on 11 Kay. When NCNA
representatives called at Government House with the protest on 12 bly,
the Governor" (quotation marks in Chinese) refused to aze them and sent
his Aide de Camp. NUNA protest Note demands (a) severe punishment for
those responsible, (b) apologies to the NUNA reporters (c) a guarantee
of freedom of

the Press.

7.

Photograph shows arrested demonstrators in Hong Kong police van in
handcuffs and waving copies of "quotations from Chairman Mao". Mr.
Hopson Sent 09202/15 May

Received 1050/15 Misy

FO/CO/WH/DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

аава

ADVANCE COPIES SENT

LAST

REF.

REF.

اه

PPPPP

Eu Clair

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 491

16 May 1967

NCLASSIFIED

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 491 of 16 Kay Repeated for
information to Washington, Moscow, Hong Kong and POLAD Singapore.

Peoples Daily and N.C.N.A. of 16 May report that 40,000 Red Guards,
revolutionary workers and Government functionaries held a rally to
demonstrate against "fascist atrocities of British authorities in Hong
Kong" on vening of 15 May.

2. N.C.N.A. of 16 May also claim that Hong Kong and Musco businessmen at
the Canton Fair joined a meeting and demons tra- tion on 15 Kay which
condemned the Wilson Government and British authorities in Hong Kong.

Mr. Hopson

FO/CO/WH DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

Sent 09002/16 Kay 1967 Recd 10162/16 May 1967

SSSSS

LAST

RIF

BAD.

Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should

reach addressee(s)

... M.K.

2.5A-9 1619302...

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

PRIORITY MARKINGS

(Date)..

Flash

Secret

Restricted Unclassified

Twarechinge

}

Despatched 16/910 2

Prigatty

Routine

N/P

As for

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

xxxkxx

Gode

Cypher

Draft Telegram to:-

HONG KONG

No......

(Date)

And to:-

PEKING

--

Security classification' --if any

[Secur

[

Privacy marking ]

--if any

[Codeword-if any]

Addressed to

HK63 telegram No. 928,

928

And to............

SECRET

HONG KONG

(date)

PEKING (Flash)...

17 MA65?

repeated for information to...... POLAD SINGAPORE

Saving to.

LI

Washington

33 (Prom(s)

לי

Repeat to:-

POLAD SINGAPORE,

Washington

Saving to:-

FED

IN

IRD

SOC. SERU.

240

Distribution:-

H.K. fel 1 No. 612

Copies to:-

Your telegram No. 612.

Peking Statement.

Subject to Ministerial agreement, we accept that

a statement should be issued in London as soon as

possible and a copy handed to the acting Chinese

Charge d'Affaires.

2. We propose the following draft: Begins.

"The recent disturbances in Kowloon arose from

an industrial dispute in April between workers and

their employers about wages and conditions of

employment involving 650 workers in two factories

producing artificial flowers. The injection

moulding sections of both factories were closed

and the workers were dismissed.

A settlement could

not be reached in negotiations between employers

and workers, The Labour Department of the Hong Kong Government offered
its services in an effort to help

the

Distribution

-

H.K. W.I.D. 'C' I.G.D.

J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:

Cabinet Office

Foreign Office

-

11

"

D.I.O. J.I.R.

Mr. de la Mare Mr. Bolland. Mr. Wilson

11

I

Mr. Denson

11

Mr. Foggon

11:30

12/5

SECRET

the parties to reach agreement, but this offer

was refused by both sides.

ourside

Disorders broke out on the 6th May at one

of these factories which was situated in Kowloong

<tree="yomo" of the dismissed workers attempted to

fterfest "ith the movement of produete from the

- factory, The police intervened to maintain law

and order and, as a result, 21 persons were

arrested. Subsequent efforts by the Labour

Department to bring the parties together to discuss

their differences and try to reach an agreed

settlement were frustrated by the outbreak of

further disorders on the 11th May in the vicinity

of the same factory. The police were called in to

restore law and order and 60 persons were arrested.

There were more disorders in the same area until the

14th May. About 400 in all have been arrested

and the law requires that they should be brought

before the courts for trial.

have been released on bail.

Meanwhile ... persons

The Hong Kong Government's policy is to make

available the specialist services of its Labour

Department to give impartial help to management and

trade unions to settle any disputes which may

St-

has

arise between them. They have already done so on

do

this occasion and remains ready to continue to all

t

they can to facilitate a settlement.

In the same

way, the Hong Kong Government has an inescapable

duty to maintain law and order as impartially and

as

(8430) Dd033246 609m 9/66 G.W.B.Ltd. Op.#83

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

a number of whom

have been injured in the

Three days of dista, bances

as fairly as possible for the benefit of all

in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong police, have shown

great restraint in carrying out these

responsibilities.

Her Majesty's Government fully support

the Hong Kong Government in fulfilling its

duty in maintaining law and order and in the

efforts it is making to bring about a

settlement of the industrial dispute. It is

emphasised that the original cause of these

disturbances was two comparatively small

industrial dispute which should be capable to settle soon

of early settlement if the management and trade

unions concerned would sit down together to

it.

discuss them." Ends.

3. Grateful for your and Peking's urgent

comments. Also for number of persons released

on bail for inclusion in statement.

4.

te

Washington

Preach

Pomorrow's to...

on this subject will

SECER

Passed to b

نگر

1. DEAD for Dansmission to Pekuq 16/5 a repetition & Washington and
Singapore 7

Cypher

FLASH

SECRET

SECRET

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

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