C
(a) Knowledge of a bargain with the Russians over Mr. Brooke
would clearly lead to pressure from those directly
involved in the Grey case (i.e. Routers, certain sections
of the press, and the Grey family) for a bargain with
the Chinese over r. Grey. But I am by no means certain
that public opinion generally would come to the conclusion
that because we had in very special circumstances made
concessions to the Russians about the Krogers we should
necessarily follow this up by caving in to the Chinese
over the convicted newaworkers. Moreover there are
important and relevant differences between the Brooke case
and the Grey case, which it should not be too difficult
to put across to the public. Mr. Brooke faces the
prospect of a new and long prison sentence;
should, on the terms the Chinese have declared to us,
be out of detention in October.
Krogers, but eleven newsworkers.
Mr. Grey
There are only two
The Krogers are in a
very special and restricted category of prisonere,
whereas the newsworkers are eleven among over 200 communists who are serving sentences in Hong Kong for offenses arising out of the 1967 troubles. The bending
of the law in favour of the Krogers does not involve the
same considerations of security and public confidence for
the future as would similar action in Hong Kong.
(b) The Chinese are bound to draw their own conclusions from
our willingness to bend the law in respect of the Krogers particularly in the present sour climate of Sino-Soviet relations,
and/contrast it with what has been said to them about the
SECRET