fco-40-46-kowloon-disturbances — Page 10

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telegram No.

1038

And to

Primity repeated for information to

Onyangka |--|-----|-ULILLAHYARH4414141

Saving to...

ZOD

זו - " - " .

(date)

*+*+

HK 380

ILIAR P.

Pekinge PoCAD Singalee Washington

Your telegrams 677 and 691.

From Commonwealth Secretary.

Disturbances.

I have now consulted my colleagues and we

agree with you that the key to the situation is

the maintenance of public confidence and police

morale. I would like to congratulate you and your

staff and particularly the police force on your

success in holding and keeping on top of the

situation. On this I am sending you a separate

message which you can make public.

2. We agree our policy must be to continue to

deal firmly and fairly with any disorders which

the Communists may try to instigate.

3.

We also agree that action should be taken about selected Communist
leaders so as to disrupt their campaign but have some doubts about your

being

being able physically to deport them. We are

advised that they might well not be accepted at

the border, and that therefore we might lose face.

But we must rely upon your judgment to weigh up the

various factors here. As you say this weapon

should not be used lightly and I assume that you

would begin with only two or three key leaders at

a time. You have authority to go ahead if the

situation deteriorates but please keep me informed

of any action you take.

4. We also agree that if the Communist press continues to carry out or
step up the campaign of

sedition and intimidation you should use your

emergency regulations to close down the printing

presses. I would, however, wish to be consulted

before any action is actually taken.

5.

With reference to paragraph 1 of your

telegram 691, it is appreciated that any decisions

on action against the N.C.N.A. must fully take

into account the position in Hong Kong.

6.

I agree with views expressed in paragraphs 2

and 3. We had already thought of taking up with

the Americans a reduction of their use of Hong

Kong on the lines you suggest and this will be

pursued.

7. It was not in any case intended to make any

announcement about the decision to withdraw a major

unit (your paragraph 7) till later in the year and,

prior to your present troubles, the position was

to have been reviewed in June in the light of the

situation

($430) Dd,033246 600 9/66 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.963

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

I

situation in China.

8. The return of Parliament next week will

give me an opportunity to make a statement on

the situation in Hong Kong and to report H.H.G's

support for the Hong Kong Government's measures to

maintain law and order and of our determination

to stay in Hong Kong.

9. We naturally hope that a show of firmness in

maintaining law and order will not lead to an

all-out confrontation with the C.P.G. We ought,

however, to be prepared for this possibility and

I am sure that you have already planned how you

would meet it, and I expect Galsworthy can tell me

about your contingency planning on his return.

10. Your telegram No. 698 has just been

received. Please do not at present say anything

publicly about your intention to go on leave as

this may cause loss of confidence just when the situation seems to be
improving para 4 of your tilegne

refers.

(Pared to DSDS for repetition ti

Peking, POLAD Singaful is

Washington)

156

RESTRICTED

CYPHER/CAT A AND BY BAG

LATE LATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO. 408 25 MAY 1967 (F.)

RESTRICTED

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 438 OF 25 MAY.

:

REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG SAVING TO WASHINGTON YOUR TEL NO
563: N.C.N.A. ARTICLE ON HONG KONG. N.C.N.A. LONDON BULLETIN OMITS
EMOTIVE PHRASES IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 5, QUOTE STAINED WITH THE BLOOD OF OUR
COMPATRIOTS UNQUOTE AND QUOTE BLOOD FLOWED ON THE TERRITORY OF THE
MOTHERLAND UNQUOTE. QUOTE BEAT- EN TO DEATH UNQUOTE( YOUR PARA6 )
APPEARS AS QUOTE REPORTED KILLED UNQUOTE AND QUOTE MORTAL DANGER UNQUOTE
IS OMITTED.

2. ARTICLE IS BAD ENOUGH AS IT STOOD, BUT GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER IT
WAS SLIGHTLY WATERED DOWN FOR BRITISH MARKET OR WHETHER ENGLISH BULLETIN
IN PEKING MADE SIMILAR CHANGES.

SOSFA

SENT 1311/25 MAY

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0. F.E.D.

NEWS DEPT.

C.O. D.T.D.

RECEIVED IT:

ARCHIVES : .63

301.170l

HWB||17

PPPPP

пар.

RESTRICTED

SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM

NO.

1041

Cypher

CONFIDENTIAL

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 25 May 1967 R. 25

M

757

IMMEDIATE

CONFIDENTIAL

No.705

14

15252

Culi

HI/13

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

Repeated

"Peking No.271

" POLAD Singapore No.1 31 "Washington No.144

(S. of S. please pass to all)

My telegram No.693.

Sitrep as at 25/2000.

138

Three token stoppages occurred today none of which inconvenienced
the general population. Transport on Hong Kong Island has returned to
normal and there are encouraging developments in the resolution of the
two labour disputes which sparked off the present disturbances.

2+

China Motor Bus Company on Hong Kong Island decided to return to
work after a management threat of "no work, no pay". After a slow start,
bus and tram services returned to normal.

3. There were token stoppages in the Dairy Farm Organisation, the main
supplier of fresh milk, which also runs cafés, restaurants and grocery
stores. There was also a token stoppage on the Star Ferry between 1630
and 1730, the time when the majority of people return home. These may
well indicate that similar incidents directed against those who are
unlikely to support Communist aims may be expected.

There was also a sitdown strike at the Kowloon power station which did
not affect supplies. These stoppages were demonstrations against
Government only.

4. The injection moulding section of the Hong Kong Artificial Flower Co.
at San Po Kong is due to reopen tomorrow morning. At the Green Island
Cement Company peaceful picketing continues but over 100 workers have
now accepted

severance pay,

(Passed as requested with advance copies to Foreign Office

F.E. Dept. and Commonwealth Secretary's Private Office)

Distribution

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

- I,G,D.

J.1.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F

198

166

Copies also sent:

CONFIDENTIAL

вор

TINA 1/17

Copies also sent to:

CONFIDENTIAL

P.S. to Prime Minister

Cabinet Office

Foreign Office

Treasury

t

ון

11

Board of Trade

-

-

-

D.I.O., J.I.R. P.S. to Mr. Rodgers

Mr. de la Mare

Mr. Bolland

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Denson

Mr. Foggon

Mr. D. Hawkins

Mr. J.A.B. Darlington

Export Credits Guarantee Department Mr. C.P. Rawlings

Room 7365)

-

Ministry of Defence

it

11

(Room 7163)

-

[

#

(Room 51 31)

Mr. Henn Major Koe M.0.2

Australia House (Senior External Affairs

Representative)

Canada House (Counsellor)

-

Mr. T.K. Critchley Mr. K.W. Mackellan

CONFIDENTIAL

I

1

#

En Clair

1MEDIATE

FOREIGN OFFICE TO LISBON

Telno. 584 25 May, 1967

UNCLASSIFIED

(F)

Addressed to Lisbon telegram No. 584 of 25 May. Repeated for
information to: Hong Kong

-HKX9/2/66-

Hong Kong telegram No. 696 to Commonwealth Office, paragraph 2.

Please act accordingly.

SOSPA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O.

F.E.D.

Central Dept.

D.S.A.0.

Security Dept. Personnel Dept.

Sent

1628Z 25 May

RECEIVED IN 1.RCHIVES Nɔ. 63

3 MAY 1967

HUAlli

SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TILEGRAN

NO.

1049

вод

158

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No. DEPARTMENT

HWA'll

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

reach addressee(s)

25.5.

5.67.

2300 2

NIP.

1547

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

PRIORITY MARKINGS

(Date)

Despatched

Emergency Immediate

Confidential

priority.

Routine

Cypher

[Security classification Confidentul.

any

[Codeword-if any)..........

GOVERNOR, HONG KONG

.......date)

Draft Telegram to:-

HAG 380

No.

(Date)

And to:-

Addressed to

telegram No.1043

And to

repeated for information to.

Saving to

Repeat to:-

Saving to:-

Distribution:-

FER

Copies to:-

The Minister of State and I would like

to convey to you personally our admiration,

shared by all our colleagues, of your handling

of the recent disturbances in Hong Kong. As

you know the current situation was discussed

by Ministers this morning. In the course

of this, the Prime Minister particularly

lunch asked that we shout

ould let you know how he homised, together with our tanqua

been personally ke have impressed with your

they handling of the situation, and how much he

ha appreciated your judgment and skill in

keeping the situation as cool as possible.

He has been particularly pleased to note

from your telegrams how British common sense,

grace and good humour have been uppermost,

despite the gravity of the situation; for

example

the arrangements made at Government

House for the orderly presentation of petitions

and your decision to deploy loud speakers,

blaring forth "cheerful Chinese tunes" to counter

/the

C

the broadcasting from the Bank of China, He has suggested

that if any future public counter-propaganda is necessary

Government loud speakers might propagate some selected

thoughts from the Red Book of Mao's Thoughts (e.g. that his

followers should "speak politely, pay for everything you

damage, do not bit or swear at people and do not damage

crops", or, "the only way to settle controversial issues

op

among the people is by the democratic method, the method

of discussion")!

We very much hope that the worst really will prove

to be over and that you will be able to get away shortly

for the rest you must so badly need.

SECER.

Ah 257

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Cypher

CONFIDENTIAL

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

159,

Sent 25 May, 1967. 23002

CONFIDENTIAL No. 1043

The Minister of State and I would like to convey to
you personally our admiration, shared by all our colleagues, of your
handling of the recent disturbances in Hong Kong, As you know the
current situation was discussed by Ministers this morning. In the course
of this, the Prime Minister particularly asked that we should let you
know how much he himself, together with our colleagues, have been
impressed with your handling of the situation, and how much they have
appreciated your judgment and skill in keeping the situation as cool as
possible.

He has been particularly pleased to note from your
telegrams how common sense, grace and good humour have been

for uppermost, despite the gravity of the situation;

example the arrangements made at Government House for the orderly
presentation of petitions and your decision to deploy loud speakers,
blaring forth "cheerful Chinese tunes" to counter the broadcasting from
the Bank of China.

We very much hope that the worst really will prove to be over and that
you will be able to get away shortly for the rest you must so badly
need.

Distribution

-

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

CONFIDENTIAL

169

PARO

4

Registry No. HWalln

DEPARTMENT

C

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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

reach addressee(s) ..

NIP

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret Secret

PRIORITY MARKINGS

(Date)

025 5.67

Despatched

22402

(160)

Confluential

Emergenty Immediate J

ٹے

Restricted

Anclassified

Pority Routine

En Clair.

Cyplex

Draft Telegram to:- HKG 380

No.

(Date)

And to:-

Security classification -if any

[Codeword-if any).........................

GOVERNOR, HONG KONG

Addressed to

1044.

telegram No.

(date)

And to

repeated for information to

Saving to

Repeat to:-

Saving to:-

Distribution:-

AkdWide

Copies to:-

Following from Secretary of State

and Minister of State, Mrs. Judith Hart.

Would you please convey to the Commissioner

and all ranks of the Hong Kong Police Force

our warm appreciation of all their untiring

efforts during the recent disturbances. Their

great restraint and devotion to duty under the

most trying circumstances has been exemplary;

and, as they may know, have been fully

appreciated in Britain. Their efforts in the

preservation of law and order must be a great

comfort to the people of Hong Kong. The ir

deservedly high reputation for discipline,

courage and impartiality has been enhanced.

To all those policemen injured, during

the disturbances, we send our hopes for their

speedy recovery.

SELER

nl

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

160)

En clair

Sent 25 May, 1967,

2240Z

No. 1044

Following from Secretary of State and

Minister of State, Mrs. Judith Hart,

Would you please convey to the Commissioner and

all ranks of the Hong Kong Police Force our ward appreciation of all
their untiring efforts during the

recent disturbances, Their great restraint and devotion to duty under
the most trying circumstances has been exemplary;

and, as they may know, have been fully appreciated in Britain. Their
efforts in the preservation of law and order must be

a great comfort to the people of Hong Kong. Their deservedly high
reputation for discipline, courage and impartiality has been enhanced.

To all those policemen injured, during the disturbances, we send our
hopes for their speedy recovery.

Distribution

-

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

EPET

RES

ALI

162

пода

Cypher

CONFIDENTIAL

INWARD TELEGRAM

COP

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 26 May 1967 R. 26 ti

CONFIDENTIAL No.701

03052

30

MAY

12

11

10

2

3

G

HK1/31/17

61

ZATION

Addressed to UKMIS Geneva (for Jones) No.M.346

Brussels (for Martin) No.M.347

11

Repeated

"

Washington (for Hermann) No.142

HONGAID London (for Sedgwick) No.M. 348 (C.O. please pass to all)

From Sorby.

Regret very much not able to keep you fully informed during recent
disturbances. Following is general background information on which you
may draw in reply to questions.

2. Disturbances in Hong Kong engineered by local initiative of radical
elements in Communist organisations as an overspill of cultural
revolutionary enthusiasm.

3. Authorities with overwhelming backing of vast majority have succeeded
in reasserting law and order and has greatly weakened power of these
radical elements. Overt demonstrations have not occurred for two days
and chance of recurrence of violence seems small.

40 Everything now back to normal. Banking system steady. Gold price
dropped 8 dollars today (before disturbances 282 dollars per tael,
yesterday 282 dollars per tael). Tourists continuing to pour in.
Confidence is returning to Hong Kong.

5. Long term economic effect of disturbance: too early to judge with
precision yet, but during the disturbances no hold ups in Portuguese
warehouses, official documentation, manufacture. Exports and imports
have continued normally throughout.

6.

Extent of damage very few vehicles burnt, windows of a few branch banks
in Kowloon damaged, a few bruises and bloody pates. Only three (repeat
three) bullets fired.

The
only death was caused by rioters. Three nights of partial curfew in one
manufacturing district of Kowloon, one in the business district of
Kowloon, one in the whole waterfront of Hong Kong Island. At the height
of demonstrations some two to three thousand well-disciplined marchers
carried petitions to Government House until a police ban stopped them.
on Hong Kong Island stopped for one and half days only.

Bus services

Seems

very

CONFIDENTIAL

ела

Cypher

CONFIDENTIAL

INTARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMmonikalth OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 26 May, 1967. R. 26

04102

CONFIDENTIAL No. 706

Grateful if you would ensure that Sedgwick is kept fully up to date
on current events in Hong Kong.

Distribution

--

H.K. WID 'C'

CONFIDENTIAL

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