fco-40-46-kowloon-disturbances — Page 3

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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

- Mr. C.P. Rawlings

-

Mr. C.H. Henn

Major Koe

- M.0.2.

Room 5131

SECRET

En Clair

(

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 555 23 May, 1967

UNCLASSIFIED

23 May

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 555 of

Repeated for information to:- Washington, Moscow, Hong Kong and POLAD
Singapore.

People's Daily of 23 May carries three items on Hong Kong.

122,

(1)

(2)

(3)

Reporting my session at Foreign Ministry yesterday, during which Chinese
announced their decision to annul 1954 Agreement on Shanghai

reporting meeting on 21 May in Hong Kong of Struggle Committee to oppose
British persecution (as in NCNA of 22 May); and

reporting clashes between rioters and Hong Kong authorities on 21 May.
This item contains the sentence, the situation shows that the British
Government and British authorities in liong Kong are brazenly
disregarding our Foreign Ministry's statement and the strong protest of
our compatriots from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Kowloon, and are
determined to treat as enemies 700 million Chinese people and nearly 4
million compatriots in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Mr. Hopson

FO/CO/WH DISTRIBUTION F.E.D.

23 May,

Sent 0802Z

1967 Recd 1404Z 23 May, 1967

bbbbb

LAST RIF.

лава

EXT

REF.

t

Cypher/Cat. A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY TAMSUI CO FOREIGN OFFICE

10. 21

23 May 1967

123

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 21 of 23 May Repeated for
information to Political Adviser Hong Kong and Peking, Washington.

General themes of local Press comment on recent events in Hong Kong
have been.

2.

(i)

(ii)

Britain is paying the penalty for having perpetually bowed and scraped
to Peking since 1950.

The authorities in Hong Kong are standing firm and will not cower before
pressure from Peking as did Fortuguese in Macao. Nevertheless they have
been too lenient and should get tougher with rioters,

(iii) Pro Nationalists in Hong Kong should offer large

scale resistance to rioters.

There has been much speculation here that disturbances will result in
flight of capital and trained workers to Formosa but although
Nationalists would no doubt welcome this "Government" sources have
denied they will entice them away.

3. Sub-paragraph one (iii) is unlikely to represent views of Nationalist
leaders here. Ky information from (grp undec] sources is that leaders
advocate restraint and non-involvement by their supporters in Hong Kong
and are encouraging them to cooperate with the authorities. This
attitude would almost certainly change if it were thought that Her
Majesty's Government were likely to reach some form of settlement
resulting in suppression of Nationalist Organisations in the Colony.

H.K. Consul-General

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D. S.3.A.D.

Sent 1016Z/23 Kay 1967 Rocd 11132/23 May 1967

J.I.R.D.

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

LIST

J.I.P.G.D.

REF.

News Dept.

ALF.

140

PAD

C.0.

F. E. & P.D. D.T. D.

SSSSS

DIS KOD

CONFIDENTIAL

124

SECRET

INWARD TELEGRAM

COPY

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

Cypher

R.

D. 23 May, 1967.

23

*

11

13152

1007

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63

24/40 17/

IMMEDIATE SECRET

No. 678.

HWAY/17

Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.). Repeated

1+

"Peking No. 255.

"P.A. Singapore No. 123.

"Washington No. 134 (S. of S. please pass PRIORITY to all).

My telegram No. 663.

115

SITREP as at 232000 hours.

10

It has been a quiet day on both Hong Kong and Kowloon sides. The
effective measures taken by the Police yesterday and the new
restrictions on processions seem to have robbed the Communist leadership
of the initiative.

2. There has been a proliferation of loudspeakers broadcasting from
Communist offices and stores. Though they have limitea themselves to
tape recordings of extracts from newspapers and of music, they are a
potential danger and steps are being taken to prevent their use. The
main loudspeaker system in the Bank of China has been successfully
jammed all day.

3. There has been increased industrial activity. The China Motor Bus
Company remained on strike on the Hong Kong side and the Communist trade
union in the Tran Company staged a walk-out in sympathy this eveni

in bringing the tram workers out: union members continued to work. brief
protest strike in shipyard.

Intimidation played a part but most of the right wing There has also
been one

4. There have again been numerous rumours of a water shortage and of the
P.L.A. massing on the border. The management of right wing and neutral
factories were rung up

during the morning and told that since the C.P.G. was definitely going
to take over here and the British were preparing to evacuate, they had
better change their policies. An official and categorical denial of this
was made over the radio.

5. Right-Wing posters have appeared in a number of places in Kowloon and
in two towns in the New Territories. There is, however, no sign at
present of strife building up on a large scale between these two
factions.

6. A crowd, 2,000 strong and including 300 soldiers and

The some militia was seen on 22 May in China near the border military
element fixed bayonets and paraded up and n near the border. The numbers
involved are not unusual though the

SECRET

PARA

/presence

775

138

SECRET

presence of armed soldiers is, This demonstration was clearly designed
for Hong Kong consumption.

7. A major conference has been taking place all day long between
representatives of all pro-Communist and sympathetic unions and circles.
Their prolonged deliberations may indicate that they are somewhat unsure
of what to do next. The Communist leadership is thought to be opposed to
strikes which will inconvenience the population as a whole since they
see their major task is winning more public support. Nonetheless the
most likely development is more industrial action, backed up with
intimidation of both workers and management.

(Passed as requested)

Distribution

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

J.I.G. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:-

P.S. to Prime Minister

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++

11

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

Mr. de la Mare Mr. Bolland

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Denson

Treasury

Exports Credits Guarantee

Department

Ministry of Defence (D.S.11)

tt

11

11

DS.6)

#

Mr. Foggon

Mr. D. Hawkins

Mr. C.F. Rawlings

Mr. Henn Major Koe M.0.2.

SECRET

(125)

NOTATION

En Clair

PRESS

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

24

MAY

FROM HONG KONG (Information Services)

D. 23 May 1967 R. 23

16432

1967

シス

Corsa HWAY/12

Hong Kong enjoyed a day free from serious incidents today. There were
no demonstrations and the main focal point of the "propaganda" war, was
the battle of loudspeakers in Central district where Government
equipment drowned public address broadcasts from the Bank of China. It
is estimated that Communist broadcasts are being made from seventeen or
more places in the Colony.

It was announced, towards the end of the day, that people who allowed
their property to be used by broadcasts by public address systems for
incitement to violence may (repeat may) be prosecuted.

Public transport has operated normally in Kowloon, but oa Hong Kong
Island vehicles of the China Motor Bus Company did not (repeat not)
appear on the streets. Taxis and trams are running normally.

Rumours about a water cut-off have been circulating, but there is no
(repeat no) basis for them. And Government have warned people against
paying heed to malicious rumours.

Government has also acted against those who are trying to persuade young
workers to join demonstrations by intimidation. Details will soon be
announced of how threatened workers can register for new jobs.

This morning Government House announced that the British Government
stood four square behind the authorities in its determination to
preserve peace in Hong Kong. The statement said Sir Arthur Galsworthy
brought with him fullest confirmation of Britain's support.

On the labour front, a management and workers of the Hong Kong
Artificial Flower Works met this morning at the Labour Department and
agreed in principle to reopen the injection moulding department of the
factory as soon as possible. It was also agreed that re-employed workers
would receive compensation and terms and conditions in force at the time
of the close down would stay the same.

Of the two hundre and three people arrested yesterday on Hong Kong
Island one hundred and ten have so far been charged. Total arrests since
disturbances began until eight o'clock this morning stood at seven
hundred and eighty one and six hundrel and seventy one have been
charged.

For Boxall above cable sent.

(Passed to Resident Clerk)

вово

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 63

2 4mok 1967 CHEBUTT

/Distribution

1

ANZ

Distribution

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

J.I.C EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:

P.S. to Prime Minister

Cabinet Office

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I

++

tt

-

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

Mr. de la Mare

Mr. Bolland

Mr. Wilson

-

Mr. Denson

t

Treasury

Hong Kong Government Office Exports Credits Guarantee

Department

Ministry of Defence (D.S.11)-

tr

tl

(D.Š.6)

14

Mr. Foggon

Mr. D. Hawkins Mr. Boxall

Mr. C.P. Rawlings Mr. C.H. Henn Major Koe

- M.0.2

Siß. Registry

Registry No. The IS

DEPARTMENT

1/17

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret

Secret

Comicential

Restricted

Unclassified

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

reach addressee(s)

23/5 167

los

NIPS.

126

Despatched 20.202 box Jo Jably

PRIORITY MARKINGS

(Date)

Phot Immediate Priority=

}

PRIVACY MARKING

[Sec

Security classification -if any

ation]

SECRET

[

Privacy marking -if any

]

&

Cypher

Draft Telegram to:-

EONG KONG

No.

(Date)

And to:-

Repeat to:-

[Codeword-if any]

Addressed to.

telegram No. 101/

10/1

And to

repeated for information to

Saving to..

!

24 MAY 1967

HONG KONG, AK:38

(date).

+

lisa +---

CARTHUR pampublik

Your telegram 669: U.S. Facilities.

Following for Bolland from de la Mare.

Saving to: --

940

Distribution:- JI.C. Internal

H.IT. W...D IGO

-

Depil. Copies to:-

As for thong ting

tel 669.

What The

e take it that the Governor still proposes

set out in paragraphs 2 and 4

to follow the course

of his telegram 639,

Bainbridge is due to

provocation potential.

we agree.

Ar dacc ANG

23.6.07.

and that his objection to the

nature

its size and consequent

On this understanding

,

Cypher

SECRET

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

IMMEDIATE

SECRET

HWB 1/17

Sent 23 May, 1967. 2020Z

126

неагрорага

No. 1011

Your telegram 669.

U.S. Facilities.

HWA 2/1/100

Following for Bolland from de la Mare.

We take it that the Governor still proposes

to follow the course set out in paragraphs 2 and 4 of his telegram 639,
and that his objection to the BAINBRIDGE 18 due to its nature and
consequent provocation potential. On this understanding we agree.

Distribution - H.K. WID 'C'

I.G.D.

J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:-

P.S. to Prime Minister

Cabinet Office

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TE

H

11

H

**

H

11

"

D.1.0., J.I.R.

Mr. de la Mare

Mr. Bolland

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Denson

Treasury

Exports Credits Guarantee

Department

Mininetry of Defence (D.S.11)-

11

"

(D.S.6)

**

-

11

**

#

Mr. Foggon

Mr. D. Hawkins

Mr. C.P. Rawlings

Mr. C.H. Henn

Major Koe

M.0.2.

DAD

SECRET

F

SECRET

it would disrupt their communications (e.g. Government could pick up all
their couriers). And they might well eventually have to move to other
premises where it would be easier for Government to keep them under
closer

surveillance.

Further advantage is that it would enable us to
isolate Bank of China without taking direct action against the building
which could involve us with the C.P.G.. As an immediate measure I have
deployed loudspeakers blaring forth cheerful Chinese tunes to drown the
inflammatory broadcasts coming from the Bank. But this is not sufficient
in itself, since the Bank building remains one of the principal rallying
points for demonstrations; and anyhow we know it is one of the main
communist control pointa.

Course (iii)

7. The worrying thing about not taking action against the worst
offender among the communist press is that it is daily in flagrant
breach of the law, and if we continue to ignore this it may well be
taken as sign of weakness. But it would obviously be regarded by Peking
as a provocation (see Peking telegram No. 483 of 15 May). Furthermore
there are 9 other communist newspapers here which could all continue the
campaign unless similar action were taken against them.

Connoa (14)

INWARD TELEGRAM ČL

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Information Office).

RECEIVED IN

En Clair

D. 23 May 1967

ARCH!

R. 23

21 092

23.1.

PRESS

HWA 1/1) Hit

127

Hong Kong Government has decided with immediate effect, no (repeat no)
further public processions or public meetings will be permitted without
prior authority of Commissioner of Police. In a statement last night,
Government spokesman said although for the past few days small groups of
petitioners have been permitted to move in procession to Government
House provided they did so in an orderly manner. disorders have
subsequently broken out on each day.

He said any person who in future participates in a

- procession or meeting in a public place without prior

permission in writing from the Commissioner of Police will be liable to
arrest and prosecution. He pointed out

that individuals who wish to petition the Governor may continue to do so
by post.

Latest police report states the curfew which was imposed on Hong
Kong Island at 6.30 last night is being observed.

Earlier today, police units on riot duty were issued with special
cameras that had been specially fitted with telephoto lens to photograph
people taking part in the illegal gatherings. Government loudspeakers
broadcasting Cantonese music also drowned out message inciting the crowd
which were broadcast from loudspeakers installed in the Bank of China
building.

So far police have arrested 167 people most of them on Hong Kong
Island. Fifteen people have been taken to Queen Mary Hospital where
seven, including one police constable, have been detained for treatment.

All day crowds of "demonstrators" frequently swelled by young hooligans
gathered in various parts of central Hong Kong, blocking traffic and
singing and chanting outside banks and public buildings. Traffic in
central district was also disrupted.

In Kowloon there were a few incidents.

Another 19 representative organisations have pledged support for
Government's firm determination to maintain peace in Hong Kong. This
brings to 270 the total number of organisations which have so far
publicly stated their support for the authorities.

The education fund for children of junior police officers has
now reached almost 400,000 dollars (repeat dls.400,000) and
contributions from ordinary citizens continue to pour into the
collection office at the Department of Commerce and Industry.

(D.T.D.)

For Boxall, above cable sent Commonwealth Office

|

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/Distribution

:

Distribution

-

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

J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Copies also sent to:

P.S. to Prime Minister

Cabinet Office

Foreign Office

F1

11

TT -

11

Treasury

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

Mr. Denson

Mr. Foggon

- Mr. D. Hawkins

Exports Credits Guarantee

-

Department Mr. C.P. Rawlings

Hong Kong Government Office

Mr. Boxall

Ministry of Defence (DS 11)

I

11

T

T

-

Mr. C.H. Henn

Major Koe

(Room 51 31)- M.0.2

CYPHER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

IMMEDIATE

ELNO 385

23 MAY 1967 (F)

FOR REGISTRA

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