4.
CONFIDENTIAL
2-
Colony it will become increasingly difficult to justify the continuing detention of those at present in the Victoria Road Centre,"
(b) that there may be public criticism in Hong Kon so far as the release of detainees, as of convicted prisonere, seems to have been received very calmly so that criticism seems unlikely. But if questions were to be asked, the Hong Kong Government, could easily explain that releases were natural given the inproving political situation in the Colony The detainees are not sentenced to any set term so there can be no question of premature releases. On the other hand, as Special Branch report of 20 June indicates, continued holding of these detainees would become increasingly hard to justify to the public in quieter climate in the Colony. It might become increasingly hard to justify also to opinion outside Hong Kong;
It is
(c) that the Communists may make propaganda. the intention of the exercise that the Communists should be given small face-saving victory. But in fact they seem to have been very restrained in their propaganda about their releases so far;
( 7 ) finally it is argued that increased releases would represent an introduction of expediency or politics into what should be a purely legal question. With great respect I think this is being unrealistic.
These detainees are political offenders and their detention is a political fact. What is done with them, whether they are retained or released, has unavoidable political implications. The question to be asked surely is : provided we can release them safely, are there any political benefits to be gained? There is nothing shameful in considering this. Your telegram No.1362 advocated releases on just this ground and in his telegram No.1005 the Governor expressed hope that increasing releases would be noted by Chinese.
As seen from here, therefore, the arrangements put forward for hanging on to these detainees to the bitter end do not stand up to examination. On the other hand there are strong erounds for accelerated release. We have a trend of improvements in Sino-British relations, the Chinese have made some hopef`l moves, Some of this I am convinced is due to gestures over detainees already made in Hong Kong. We wish to encourage this trend and spread its good effects from the 24 subjects of this Mission to that of other British subjects" in China. We are approaching a critical point on the question of Grey We can give this encouragement at little or no cost and without making any prior concessions. I should have thought it hardly needed saying that we should grasp this chance.
•
Foreign Office please nags Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O.
7.0.
H.K.D. F.E.D.
C.0.
Defence Dent,
News Dept.
Personnel. Dept.
88888
[Repeated as requested]
Consular Dept.
F.0.
U.N.D.
I.P.D.
I.R.D.
News Dent.
CONFIDENTIAL