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HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.575 TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
1
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6.
AS REGARDS THE POINT IN PARA 8 OF THE TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE
''CLEMENCY'' FOR CONVICTED PRISONERS, THIS IS THE MOST
ABOUT
DIFFICULT END OF THE PROBLEM FROM THE POLITICAL, MORAL AND LEGAL POINT OF VIEW. IF WE ARE THINKING OF ENTERING INTO SOME SORT OF BARGAIN ABOUT THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS, THE POSITION OF THE DETAINIES WOULD PROVIDE US WITH A MUCH EASIER FIELD IN WHICH TO MANOEUVRE, SINCE THEIR RELEASE WOULD INVOLVE NO INTERFERENCE WITH
THE DUE PROCESS OF LAW.
7. YOU WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO DISCUSS THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE GOVERNOR WHILE HE IS IN LONDON.
FOREIGN OFFICE PLEASE PASS FRIORITY PEKING 213.
MR. GASS
[REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL
DECISION].
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