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After prolonged negotiation (10 neetings over 25 days) it was agreed
that the bridge would be re-opened and an ex gratia oward of come
IX $ 75,000 paid to Chinese farmera who had been unable to cultivate
their fields bocause of the closio; and that the three nolicemen
would be exchanged for five Chinese nationals who had been arrested
for various offences in british territory. The British Inspectos.
hed already escaped after being detained for 30 days and succeeded in
finding his way back to the Colony, The talks demonstrated that the
Chinese were prepared to negotiate on practical problems whogo the
interests of their nationals wore involved. It also demonstrated
that tactically it was unaise to concede Chinese demands too quickly.
After we had done this, the Chinese deliberately delayed proceedings
and put forward sizeable claims for compensation using our desire to
terminate the negotiations as a means of pressure.
Communist Frisoners
8. The Chinese Javo medo it clear that they attech particuler
importance to the release of prisoners arrested in the course of
"confrontation".
At present there are 655 prisoners who have been
sentenced and are serving prison teras.. These include two Tew China
News Agency reporters (the arrest of shon resulted in the detention
of Er, Grey, Reutera correspondent in Pexing), 11 other comunist
journalisto, and 7 so called "patriotic newspaper workers", In
addition there are 52 persons deteined under emergency regulations
who have not been tried mainly because though they are known to have
been inglicated in disturbances adequate evidence is not available
against them.
9.
de have indicated to the Chinese that we should be progared to
/"release
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