CONFIDENTIAL
We have not yet told Ji that we are firmly opposed to his idea, although many of the points set out above have come up in his various conversations with us. We shall have to speak more plainly once ExCo have made their decision. Meanwhile, if Carsten Pigott is approached in Peking by his interlocutors (which is probably unlikely) he might also like to speak along the same gently discouraging lines.
Yous
Bub
ons ever
(R. N. Peirce)
Deputy Political Adviser
c.c. C. O. Pigott, Esq., Peking
CONFIDENTIAL