My telegrams No.726 paragraph 2 and No.738 183)
paragraph 4.
"
Disturbances.
After consulting Executive Council, I intend to start taking
action within the next few days against the many inflammatory posters
which are still appearing on buildings, vehicles and harbour vessels and
are causing public concern. Emergency Regulations to enable this to be
done effectively are being published very shortly. I hope
later today, A warning in general terms was issued last night.
2.
No action against the press is yet contemplated, except in so far as
individual copies of newspapers are stuck up and used as posters.
3.
There is some danger that pro-Communist bus and ferry workers in
particular may attempt to counter by fomenting further stoppages but I
am sure we must take this risk. We shall of course proceed with caution.
(Passed as requested)
(Advance copy for Messrs. Wilson, Bolland, De la Mare
Far Eastern Dept., and for Private Office Secretary
of State and Resident Clerk)
Distribution - H.K. W.I.D. 'C'
- I.G.D.
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207
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11
tt
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= =
- 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
Export Credits Guarantee Department Ministry of Defence (Room 7365)
-
-
Mr. C.P. Rawlings
Mr. Henn
It
11
Board of Trade
IL
(Room 7163 Room 5131
SECRET
-
Major Koe
· M.0.2
- Mr. J.A.B. Darlington
SECRET J. 1.C. Draft. for
meeting
4/6/67.
normal
188
Situation in Hong Kong
HONG KONG
Since the Hong Kong Government took firm action
against demonstrations and public meetings the situation
there has been much quieter. For the last few days there have only been
sporadic strikes usually of short duration.
2. There have been indications that the pro-communist
Itupormity
leadership has beer/disconcerted and disrupted by the fail- ure of their
confrontation with the Government, and in
particular by their inability to win public support for
their objectives. It is not yet possible to say what
action they intend to take in the future. It appears that they are
conducting a meme re-examination of their policy and are possibly
waiting for instructions from Peking.
the meantime, there are signs that they intend to carry
out a 'long term struggle" against the Hong Kong authorities
and are developing this by organising token stoppages in
including public tramprit,
In
the public utilities to
ilities/to demonstrate their power and in an attempt to maintain the
morale of their own supporters. They may also be planning to spread
stoppage of work to civilians Amployed by armed may and to
the hospitals.
Attituac of the Chiness Government
3. The official Chinese line on Hong Kong remains uncon-
promising and tough, The press and goverment leaders have continued to
demand immediate acceptance of their "five
demands" At the same time demonstrations outside the
British Office in Peking have continued but on a smaller
scale than two weeks ago. Despite this, news about Hong Kong in the
Chinese press has been overshadowed by internal
It is possible that
events of the Cultural Revolution.
the harsh line on Hong Kong is intended mainly for internal
We cannot yet say how far it will be reflected consumption.
immediato
in their programme for action in Hong Kong.
SECRET
/Conclusion
Г
Conclusion
4. We consider that the situation in Hong Kong romains
potentially dangerous The Chinese Government are still
strongly committed to forcing the Eritish to accept their
"demanda". By firm unprovocative handling of the
sitution the Hong Kong Government has managed to win
the first round and the degree of public support for the
firm action by the Hong Kong authorities has probably
surprised and dismayed the pro-communist leaderlip. It
now appears that the pro-communists are reviewing their
strategy. It sooms likely that they intend to embark on
a long term confrontation, with the authoritics usin
industrial setion as their stief zo19onst
1
SECRET
190
TRZY FOR REGISTRATIONJUN
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
9
100
#
RECEIVED IN
12
1967
Cypher
D. 1st June 1967 R. 1st 11
ARCHIVES No. 63
11
0245Z
1 JUN1967
IMMEDIATE
HLIA 1/17
SECRET No.745
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.)
Repeated
"
tt
"Peking No.292
"POLAD Singapore No.149 "Washington No.157
(S. of S. please pass PRIORITY to all)
Sitrep as at 01/0900 hours.
My telegram No.738.
183
There is evidence that a major confrontation on the industrial side is
being prepared. 1st June was the original target date but this may now
have been postponed until 3 or 4 June. It is, however, by no means
certain that the pro- Communist faction have sufficient support for such
action. Planning may be designed to maintain morale rather than an
expression of firm intent. Small scale stoppages are expected to
continue. Textile factories and the telephone company may be affected
today. The latter has only a very small pro-Communist element.
2. Employees of the Marine Department are refusing to work until the
Communist posters which were removed on the night 30/31 May and replaced
by Government posters are put
Since we are today taking action to declare inflammatory posters
illegal, this could be the beginning of a trial of strength.
back.
(Passed to D.S.A.0. for repetition as requested)
(Advance copy for Messrs. Wilson, Bolland, de la Mare
Far Eastern Dept. and for Private Office, Secretary of State and for
Resident Clerk)
Distribution H.K. W.I.D. 'C'
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1.:
183
1987206
/Foreign
SECRET
рабо
SECRET
Foreign Office
11
tt
+1
11
"
Treasury
P.S. to Mr. Rodgers
Mr. de la Mare
- Mr. Bolland
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon
Mr. D. Hawkins
Export Credits Guarantee Department Ministry of Defence (Rm.7365
[1]
Board of Trade
It
1.
(Rm. 7163) (Rm. 51 31)
-
Mr. C.P. Rawlings
Mr. Henn
Major Koe
M.0.2
Mr. J.A.B. Darlington
Australia House (Senior External Affairs
Representative)
Canada House (Counsellor)
-
Mr. T. Critchley
-
Mr. K. MacLellan
SECRET
COPY POR REOTB
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher D. 1 June, 1967.
FLASH
Ro
1 性
** 07352
191
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63)
- 1 JUN 1967
CONFIDENTIAL No. 750.
186
Your telegrams 1095 and 1096.
187
Disturbances: Statement in Parliament.
1-1401/17
I think the draft statement generally puts the matter well, but
I have the following suggestions and comments.
2.
Your paragraph 2.
After "local Communists" insert, "with stimulated intervention by
hooligan elements, some of whom were paid".
3. Your paragraph 3. For "on Government House" substitute "at the
entrance gates to the grounds of Government House". No posters were
stuck on Government House itself. For "remained orderly" substitute
"remained fairly orderly, apart from chanting and shouting venomous
abuse".
All have
4. Your paragraph 5. Insert"known" before "casualties". Admissions to
hospital were 3 police and 14 others. since been discharged. Total
arrests were 815; not proceeded against or acquitted 65; convictions
565; cases still pending 185. Figures are as at 0800 hours 1st June.
5. Your paragraph 6. Stoppages have also occurred in two shipyards and
three textile mills. In no case were stoppages other than politically
motivated,
6. Your paragraph 7. Over 500 representative organisations have openly
declared their support. The police children's education fund now stands
at over $3 million.
Your paragraph 8. 7.
For "would be timely" substitute
"might be timely, although the possible economic repercussions will have
to be carefully watched". I would prefer to see the
There is already considerable apprehension
last sentence omitted. here amongst industrialists and businessmen
generally at the long term effects on the economy of Hong Kong of recent
events; and it could be unwise to aggravate this loss of economic
confidence both here and abroad by over-insistence at this time
even though there is on
changing our labour legislation; undeniably room for reform in some
areas.
8.
Your paragraph 9. I recommend omission of the words "by the
authorities in China" in the third sentence (to avoid a
This is the paragraph in the direct
attack on Peking). statement which will get the greatest publicity here
and the terms in which H.M.G.'s determination to support Hong Kong is
/stated
ሀ.
1869 187
CONFIDENTIAL
рабо
CONFIDENTIAL
stated will have a major impact on local confidence. I therefore
recommend strengthening the phrase on the lines "This task they must
fulfil; and we have given them clear assurances of our complete support
and determination to maintain our position there".
9. Your paragraph 10. It would be very desirable also to include a
tribute to Hong Kong people generally, perhaps to "... the indomitable
spirit and unity of the people of Hong Kong in facing their present
difficulties".
to
10. Finally I would ask whether anything can be done to correct the
impression being given by constant references the withdrawal of British
Forces from the Far East, particularly in press reports. It is very
possible that many of the doubts regarding the U.K.'s intentions here
spring from a misinter- pretation of these statement as applying to Hong
Kong.
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I
Mr. de la Mare Mr. Bolland
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CONFIDENTIAL
Lord Beswick
J
1
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
192
SIRATION
Cypher
D 1 June, 1967.
R. 1 T
0750Z
=
FLASH
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 751
188
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
4.
་་
~ I JUN1967
HUA 1/17
20
Your telegram No. 1097.
Disturbances:
Notes for Supplementaries.
I have the following comments on proposed answers.
Question 1. A most material point about the labour relations position
here is that much of what is wrong in labour relations is and will
always remain beyond the power of Government to correct by legislation.
The difficulties derive from the unsatisfactory nature of industrial
unionism in Hong Kong, and its exclusively political nature.
3.
Question 4.
(a) The closure of roads, imposition of curfews and closure of schools
were confined to comparatively small areas of the colony and the
disruption caused, though severe, was not widespread.
(b) There have been no stoppages in public transport services this week
and last sentence might read "token stoppages in some Government
Departments, public utilities and supply services have also inevitably
caused some disruption and inconvenience".
4.
Question 6. There is no evidence of C.P.G. instigation. I recommend
substitution of the following for the words after "evident" and before
"grossly" "is that official Chinese Communist organisations in Hong Kong
have given the trouble-makers propaganda and other support and have".
Distribution
-
H.K.WID I.G.D.
ст
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-
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忖
It
11
E
11
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Mr. Denson
Mr. Wilson
P.S. to Lord Báswick
CONFIDENTIAL
188
пл
:
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 1 June, 1967. R. 1
11352.
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 755.
Addressed to Commonwealth Office.
Repeated
tt
11
"Peking No. 294.
"P.A. Singapore No. 150. "Washington No. 158. (S. of S.
please pass all).
* interdicted
1G0 190.
SITREP as at 01/1800 June,
My telegram No. 745.
190
The stoppage over the removal of Communist posters at the Government
dockyard continued until 1700. 90% of the Marine Department's launches
were tied up as a result. The strikers, who included most of the crews
and key maintenance workers, barricaded themselves into the dockyard and
prevented four Europeans as well as loyal staff members from leaving.
They refused to accept anything less than the replacement of their
posters. (The Government posters which has been put up instead drew
attention to the disciplinary penalties applicable in cases of absence
without leave). Despite occasional chanting and attempts to foment
violence by a small number, they all dispersed at 1700 on receiving a
guarantee that they would not be arrested when leaving. They promised a
repetition tomorrow if their posters were not put back.
An announcement is to be made tonight over radio and television and
tomorrow in the press that the participants have been indicted (1.e.
suspended) and disciplinary action will be taken against them. This may
possibly provide the pretext for a major confrontation with the
Communists.
There were no other incidents or stoppages today. There are indications
that one of the ferry companies may stop work tomorrow.
RECEIVED IN
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- 6 JUN 170I
HIVA In
(Passed as requested)
(Advance copies also sent to D.S.A.0. for Messrs. de la Mare, Bolland,
and Wilson Far East Dept. and for P.S. to Commonwealth Secretary)
CONFIDENTIAL
/Distribution
193
CONFIDENTIAL
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T
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++
11
Treasury
Export Credits Guarantee
Department
Ministry of Defence
帏
"
*
Rm. 7365)
Rm. 7163
-
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. C.P. Rawlings
Mr. Henn Major Koe
(Rm. 5131) M.0.2.
- Mr. J.A.B. Darlington
Board of Trade Australia House (Senior External
Affairs Rep.)- Mr. T. Critchley
Canada House (Counsellor)
CONFIDENTIAL
- Mr. K. MacLellan
Prepared
in the Tresemming
194
POSSIBLE CONOMIC BPECT ON U.K. OF DISTUMANGS IN HONG KONG
AW
リ
All fi uro in Smillion
Political background
This note is written against the conclusion in the Spocial
Aapesonen! in JIC(67)(SA)39 dntel 18th May 1967, which concludoo
that there is a potentially dangerous situation in which we my no
longer be able to rely on the Chineze continuing to accept the
status quo for economic reasons, but that it is still possible that
the Hong Kong Govarnmont will be able to vilo out the crisis withoul
ay major change in the status quo. Political "lonais" nro boing
Lade and there is a grave risk that the Chinone Government and the
local pro-communisto will sock to force the long long Covernment to
capitulate to thene "domundo",
U.K. trie
U,K, exporta wore 65 in 1967.
Prospects have been gool,
an in ect the level has risen from 41 in 1960. Exports cover o
wide range, including a good deal of nachinery and transport equip-
mont and other metal gools. To think that come proportion goes on
to other markets through Hong Kong, but that not much now 7000 on
to China.
U.K. imports in 1966 were 61 c.i.f.. Thi include 30 ·
clothing and 18 textiles. The texților come un er the special
arrangenmts liniting imports from in1iviul reuzeos.
J
The worst situation for th: U.X. balance of pa ments would
be if the Chinese were able to prohibit all U.. o o
but the ecolonic life of the colony continued unit, they sere able to
coll
their 00.5 world wile an at recent.
To shoul: lere 65 oporte
log two amounts what we could sell
-
rect in the
sell
keto
hitherto mupplicl. through Hon; Kon, in what we coull moll in olieer
worl!
Clearly a lot of the exports woul! be
Hide marketa.
ifficult to
DADO
17
bc mo
1.
+
1201 102 1 fay ng of
1, and tallin c to a fairly
ien, hon2.
e unranli-ic;
1 in
1
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of
1* only for 'ition rentras, com o o
or to our injorta Cron Hon -
- "on;
on; roul
Is there are tonly stopal, Sura to 12:
11
---titulo, rusticul r? from other Bechem ou ̧liom,
·
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