APPEARANCE OF REUTERS HERE WOULD BE NO GREAT LOSS TO US (NO
REFLECTION ON THEIR CORRESPONDENT IS INTENDED), IT IS POSSIBLE
THOUGH NOT I THINK CERTAIN THAT THEY WOULD RETALIATE AGAINST THIS
GFICE. IN ANY CASE YOU HAVE A FINE QUOTE CASUS BELLI UNQUOTE WITH
THIS MORNING'S N C ́N A REPORT ON HONG KONG (MY TELEGRAM NO 500).
4. NEVERTHELESS I THINK WE MUST TRY TO SEE THIS PROBLEM IN PER-
SPECTIVE, THE AFFRONT TO THE DIGNITY OF MEMBERS OF MY STAFF HAS
DEEN GRAVE, AS IS THE UNILATERAL BREAK OF AN AGREEMENT, BUT
THE ACTUAL LOSS OF SHAUGHAT IS IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF LITTLE
IMPORTANCE TO US. THE MAIN INTEREST OF HMG IN THIS QUESTION AS
SEEN FROM HERE IS TO MAINTAIN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MISSION IN
CHINA. TO JEOPARDISE THIS IN ORDER TO MAKE A DEMONSTRATIVE GESTURE
OF RETALIATION WOULD I AM SURE BE WRONG. I REALISE SOME RESPONSE
O NECESSARY. DUT I HOPE THIS MAY BE LIMITED IN THE LONG TERM INTER-
CTS OF H M G TO SOMETHING (E 6, ACTION AGAINST N CNA) WHICH
SHOULD NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECT OUR EFFICIENCY.
HOPSON
↓
SENT AT 17127/24 MAY
RCCD AT 18072/24 MAY