SECRET
ascertaining the Chinese price for Grey.
Not
merely would this delay be unfortunate for the
hapless Grey.
resolved by the time Hsueh is due for release
But the matter may not have been
under existing regulations.
We should thus have
lost such bargaining advantage as we now possess
from being able to give the Chinese the compara-
tively harmless satisfaction of the premature
release of Hsueh.
If we leave out the of account
Cradock's argument in which incidentally we still
see force about the risks of the "instalment"
approach (paragraph 6 of Peking telegram No. 765
of 21 August) it would seem to be a matter of
judging how soon Cater can hope to have a reaction
to his initial approach; and this of course can
best be done by you. If your assessment is that
there is a reasonable prospect that your probe of
Chinese intentions can be completed within the
next 4 weeks (by which time Parliament will be
reassembled with consequent increased public
attention to Grey), we agree albeit reluctantly,
that you may proceed as you suggest.
}
(785) Flag C
(10382) Dd.392005154m (77 sorts) 1/68 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
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