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*

4

CONTEXT, ADVISED US NOT TO BE UNNECESSARILY CONCILIATORY, AND

EXPRESSED THE FEAR WE WOULD FALL INTO THIS TRAP. ON THE OTHER

HAND, I DO NOT MIND CONCESSIONS WHICH ARE NOT DAMAGING TO HONG

KONG AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR THEM SINCE, AFTER ALL, NO

ONE CAN BE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF COMMUIST REACTIONS.

9. IF, HOWEVER, YOU FEEL THAT DEREGISTRATION IN THIS CASE RISKS

TOO DANGEROUS A REACTION AGAINST THE EMBASSY IN PEKING, I AM

OF COURSE READY TO CONSIDER TAKING YET ANOTHER RISK HERE TO

AVOID ANY SUCH DISTRESSING EVENTUALITY.

>

FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 316.

SIR D. TRENCH

REPEATED AS REQUESTED/

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O. H.K.DEPT

I.P.D.

I.R.D.

NEWS DEPT

DEFENCE DEPT

F.O. F.E.D.

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