Six members of the Revolutionary Marxist League in Hong Kong were arrested on 27 October for protesting against a DOSSIDe rIse rom Lm to 14UIn In defence expenditure from April next year. They were calling instead for British troops to get out of Hong Kong. lism.
The British Government plans to shift the defence budget onto the shoulders of Hong Kong as part of its plan to reduce military expenditure east of Suez. Troops have already been withdrawn from the South East Asia Treaty Organisation and the tiny oil-rich state or bruner marone cone nowever. te British Government has decided to maintain its troops there and make the POLICE ROLE But why should Hong Kong shoulder the defence costs? The troops aren't here. to cerend cone none tom oursac invasion-they hardly put up any show of resistance before surrendering to the Japanese in the Second World War. The number of British soldiers stationed in Hong Kong now stands at 3,700. To maintain them Britain and Hong Kong have been ointly spending £40m each year. This contrasts with a social welfare The native capitalists, as taxpayers and faced with such embarrassing figures, have of course muttered a few protests. But they recognise the basic necessity of the troops to gain the confidence of Fore en investors re. to quen upsurges of the working masses such as that in SILENT The pro-Peking elements in the colony nave remainca ine cuiciest or an over ue issue. Alter al. burn is supposedly an important ally in the struggle against that dangerous superpower, the USSR.
Only the Revolutionary Marxist League has demanded the complete evacu ation of the garrison. Only the RML has spoken out on behalf of the working masses. The RML appeals to its comrades in Britain to support them in this struggle against colonialism and imperia from U. CHEN Arrested - for distributing a leaflet de manding British troops out of Hong Kong