Pias 268/0/11
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SURIDINILAL
a gesture of accc modation, arguing that this would not
only cut short M. Grey's ordeal but might cause the Chinese
to move on the cases of some other British subjects and
mitigate the effects that our handling of the Brooke case
might have had on the Chinese. It is clear from the
Governor's telegi i No. 588 of 24 July, however, that he has
no such gesture 11 mind. Should we now re-open the matter
with him?
RECOMMENDATION
2. I recommend
somewhat reluctantly
that we should not
take further action with the Governor on this.
BACKGROUND AND AR UMENT
3. The eleven newsworkers are due for release, with full
remission, on the following dates: 1 on 3 September; 4.03
6 Septemlier;
3 October.
5 01 12 September; and 1 (Wong Chak) on
4. In ny submission of 6 May I argued that the release of
the eleven newsworkers on their due dates would not be regarded
by the Chinese as any concession on our part and that we
should have thus Lost the opportunity of giving the Chinese
what might be the relatively harmless "victory" which they
might regard as a pre-requisite for their acceptance of a
modus vivendi in Tong Kong. The premature release by a
matter of weeks in addition to shortening Mr. Grey's ordeal
would be a mild ":ow-tow" towards the Chinese which might in
turn be a useful insurance against the possibility of their
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CONFIDENTIAL