(b) in Peking to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on
12 February.
Far Eastern Department,
18 February, 1970.
1
2 -
-
Mr. Wil
Wilson
b 15/2
bispr
Reference
SEC 14/1
MR. WILLIAM MOBAIN
Private Office have requested defensive
speaking notes for possible use by the Cecretary of State at tomorrow
morning's Cabinet Meeting.
are required by 5 p.m. today.
2.
I attach a draft.
They
P-PRoberts
(P.J.Roberts) 18 February 1970
Bype 27/2
21
中央
Registry
No.
1411
ISÉCURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
DRAFT
Type 1 +
speaking notes
From
To:-
(for Secretary of State)
Telephone No. & Ext.
Secre
Confidentiskem
Restricted. Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
-PR
In Confidence
Department
аловальну)
RELEALE BY .THE CHINER OF KR. MOBAIN
IN SHANGHAI
Mr William McBain, who was arrested and detained by the Shaghal security
authorities on 23 Oct- ober 1969 has now been released. He was put oyer
the a border into Hong song without warning 10 bed, in
last Gay,
peer poysical condition.
Reasons for release
2.
14
It is not clear why the Chinese have re- leased kr. McBain, on whether
there is any significance in the timing. The post plausible explanation
at present is that the worsening state of Mr. McBain's
his heart condition had made him a semi-in-
led the Chinese to scelðal of having an giling Imocent; "prisener die on
their
-
health
valid even before his, arrest
fear the intes
elderly,
hands.
or
(1201) DE 391990 1,500M 2149 HW.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Ma. VcBain's Health
3.
Officials who met Kr. cBain on his arrival
in Hong Kong described him as very tired and con- fused'.
bron-examination (tis Comition was found to
be not unsatisfactory, although he has high blood pres- sure and needs a
complete rest. He is at present in hospital in Hong Kong. There is no
evidence, Jowever, that the Chinese have gone out of their my bp
mistreated him during his captivity; he was for a time placui in a
Chinese hospital.
Reasong!
riginal arrest
The reasons for the arrest of r. cBain remain obscure:Chinese
authorities have never apk- nowledged our requests for information er
Mor his case.
/ However,
However, r. obain r ceived the impression during interrogation that the
Chinese,
Lee, proumably opill>in the grip of a spy sania', may have suspected his
0.8.7. se suo mean a reward for espionage.
ot. Lowever, charged with any specificorime
Xrs, Martin
5.
If Mr. McBain's impressions a accurate, Mrs. Constance Hartin, another
elderly resident of 2 Shanghai arrested on the same day as Hr. cBain, is
possibly being held on the same grounds.
Her con- tinged detention may be construed, at least, as an indication
of good health.
6.
Micronice of release
If the reasons for his release are, as we Buspect, Chinese fears for his
health, it spulä
The holds the
M.B.E
be premature to set this release wit be fullbod Autiough
interpret
interded to japrove ring-rition pelutions,
that this labin another elderly restitull
Other Dritish Subjects under arrest
7.
рочеств by
ed
offers, be one lefung shold. ouales late some time a tha Hebeim walif
be released
ง
Eight British subjects remain detention in China, or are thought to be
in detention A list je attached
Recent representations
Apart from regular monthly requests for access to and information about
all eight british subjects known op thought to be in detention, the most
recent representations at wh psised have been
from me fe
alter KOS
(a) in London, by Lord hepherd to the Chinese
Charge d'Affaires, on 19 December;
(b) in Peking, by the Head of Chancery to m
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
official
on 12 February,
from..
Pelang
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
(118283) DM. 391979- 1.500M 2/69 Hm.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
CURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential
Restricted.
Unclassified,
PRIVACY MARKING
INJILI LIII------------------
In Confidence
DRAFT Background Note
Type 1 +
From
To:-
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED OR BELI-VED TO BE
DETAINED BY THE CHINESE
(18 February, 1970)
Mr. George Watt, a Vickers-Zimmer engineer arrested
on 26 September, 1967, and sentenced to three
years' imprisonment for alleged spying by a
Lanchow court on 15 March, 1968.
Mr, P. D. Crouch, Second Officer of the "Demodocus",
detained at Shanghai on 3 April, 1968.
Mr. D. C. Johnston, former Manager of the Shanghai
branch of the Chartered Bank, arrested on a
spying charge on 25 August, 1968.
Mrs. Constance Martin, age about 72, was employed
by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in Shanghai,
where she has lived for many years and was
arrested on 23 October, 1969.
Mrs. Gladva Yang, a British wife of a Chinese
national who worked as a literary translator
and is thought to have been detained in July
1968.
Mrs. Epstein, who was employed by the Chinese
authorities and is thought to have been
detained towards the end of 1967.
Mr. Michael Shapiro, as above.
Mr. David Crook, as above.
From The Minister of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London S.W.1
19 February, 1970
Fo
kelat efa
Michael Stewart has asked me to reply to your letter of 10 February
about Mr. William McCain, who was detained by the Shanghai Security
Authorities in October last year.
You were, I am sure, as pleased as I was to hear of his relcase on 14
February. ir. Ticpain's health appears to have suffered from his
unnecessary detention but it is hoped that he will be fully recovered
soon. our Far Eastern Department are in touch with Miss McBain, and are
keeping her informed about her brother's piogress.
4
(SHEPHERD)
Sir Charles Bott-Radclyffe, IP,
ncuse of Commons,
London, S.N.1.
י
+
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
(AGE 4972 POIS"). 6661GE "Pa (razat1)
Registry
No. FEC 14/1
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
DRAFT
Letter
Type 1 +
From
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
To:-
Sir Charles Kott-Radclyffe, P,
HOUSE OF COMMONS,
Lord Shepherd
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
+
LONDON, S.W.1.
.In Confidence
Michael Stewart has asked me to reply to your
letter of 10 February about Mr. William McBain, who
was detained by the Shanghai Security Authorities in
October last year.
You were, I am sure, as pleased as I was to hear
of his release on 14 February. Mr. McBain's health
appears to have suffered from his unnecessary detention
but it is hoped that he will be fully recovered soon.
O Far Eastern Department are in touch with Mise McBain,
and are keeping her informed about her brother's
progress.
24 192
I
18t
Mr. Goddeń
I submit a draft reply from Lord Shepherd to
Sir Charles Mott-Radclyffe, M.P. letter to the Secretary
of State about the case of Mr. McBain.
2.
Mr. McBain was released by the Chinese on 14 February.
Wilson
(C. Wilson)
17 February, 1970.
19
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY HONG KONG.
CONFIDENTIAL
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
TELEGRAM NUMBER 103.
14 FEBRUARY 1970.
CONFIDENTIAL ADDRESSED FCO TELEGRAM 103 OF 14 FEBRUARY RFI PEKING.
MY TELEGRAM 103 : BRITISH SUBJECTS IN CHINA,
(7)
+
MR MCBA IN.
18
We are
MCBA IN ARRIVED AS A STRETCHER CASE. HE WAS MET AT LOWU BY SENIOR
SUPER INTENDENT POLICE (FRONTIER) WHO FOUND HIM VERY TIRED AND
CONFUSED. HE WAS ABLE TO SAY THAT HIS INTERROGATORS IN SHANGHAI
X
fut refring HAD INTERPRETED HIS 0.B.E. AS A REWARD FOR ESPIONAGE AND
THAT HE HAD The this in
ривать,
1222/2
SPENT SOME TIME IN HOSPITAL IN CHINA. HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT MRS
MARTIN EXCEPT THAT HE DEDUCED FROM HIS INTERROGATION THAT SHE TOO
HAD BEEN ARRESTED.
2. MCBAIN WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY FROM LOWU TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH
HOSPITAL. HIS CONDITION ON FIRST EXAMINATION IS NOT UNSATISFACTORY
THOUGH HE HAS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND NEEDS COMPLETE REST. HIS
NEPHEW MR GEORGE MCBAIN IS LOOKING AFTER HIS INTERESTS.
3. WE SHALL NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PART PLAYED BY
MCBAIN'S 0.8.E. BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR MRS MARTIN
WHO HOLDS THE M.B.E. BUT MCBA IN'S IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS THE MAIN
CAUSE OF HIS ARREST CANNOT BE DENIED IF IT COMES OTHERWISE TO THE
NOTICE OF THE PRESS,
FCO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY TO PEKING.
BIR D. TRENCH
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED].
Be
Type 27/2
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION:
F.E.D.
CONSULAR DEPT
h.K.D.
PROT. & CONF. DEPT
NEWS DEPT
CONFIDENTIAL
En Clair
17
TOP COPY
FLASH HONG KONG TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
14 FEBRUARY,1970
ALNO.100
UNCLASSIFIED
Addressed to FCO Telno. 100 of 14 February, repeated for
information to Peking.
McBain has just arrived across the border, apparently in poor health.
Further information will follow as soon as possible.
Sir D. Trench
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
Consular Dept.
Hong Kong Dept.
News Dept.
Resident Cleak
Janet Miss M.8.
припал
میرم
27/2
*****
Prom The Minister of State
FEC 14/1
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London S.W.1
11 February, 1970
PR27/2
Thank you for your letter of 16 January enclosing a letter from your
constituent, Mrs. Hargreaves, about her sister, Mrs. Martin, who was
arrested in October by the Chinese security authorities in Shanghai.
As Mrs. Hargreaves implies, we have been in close touch with Mrs.
Martin's relatives in this country since her arrest for an unspecified
"crime". We are especially concerned about Mrs. Martin in view of her
age (she is seventy-two) and have rade persistent efforts both in London
and in Peking to impress upon the Chinese our grave concern at her
arrest and to obtain consular access and information about her case. I
myself summoned the Chinese Charge d'Affaires on 19 December and spoke
to him in the strongest terms. Despite these representations, the
Chinese have failed to respond.
We have discussed the situation with Mrs. Martin's relatives and have
encouraged them to seek publicity for Mrs. Martin's plight in the hope
that, as Mrs. Hargreaves puts it, the Chinese may be shaled into
releasing Mrs. Martin. We have taken similar action with the relatives
of Mr. William McBain, another aged resident of Shanghai who was
arrested at the same time as Mrs. Martin. We
/hope
The Rt. Hon. Julian Amery, MP,
House of Commons,
S.W.1.
T
1
¡
hope that if the Chinese become convinced that their international image
has been adversely affected by the publicity given to their outrageous
behaviour towards these two old people, they may decide to release them.
I think it is probably Mrs. Hargreaves' intention to enlist your support
in stimulating publicity. Anything you can do to publicise Mrs. Martin's
plight would be most helpful.
I need hardly add that we should be grateful if you would not disclose
the fact that we are
encouraging the relatives to seek publicity since this might adversely
affect Mrs. Martin's chances of release if it came to the notice of the
Chinese.
+
(SHEPHERD)
IN CONFIDENCE
!
+
1
(118281) Dd. 391599 1.500M 249 Hw.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
IN CONFIDENCE
DRAFT Letter
"JRITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
To:-
The Rt. Hon. Julian Amery, MP,
HOUSE OF COMMONS,
S.W.1.
Type 1 +
From
Lord Shepherd
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Thank you for your letter of 16 January enclosing a letter from your
constituent, Mrs. Hargreaves, about
her sister, Mrs. Martin, who was arrested in October
by the Chinese security authorities in Shanghai.
As Mrs. Hargreaves implies, we have been in close touch with Mrs.
Martin's relatives in this country since
We are her arrest for an unspecified \"crime".
especially concerned about Mrs. Martin in view of her age (she is
seventy-two) and have made persistent
efforts both in London and in Peking to impress upon
the Chinese our grave concern at her arrest and to
obtain consular access and information about her case.
I myself summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on
19 December and spoke to him in the strongest terms.
Despite these representations the Chinese have failed
to respond.
We have discussed the situation with Mrs. Martin's
relatives and have encouraged them to seek publicity for
Mrs. Martin's plight in the hope that, as Mrs.
Hargreaves puts it, the Chinese may be shamed into
releasing Mrs. Martin. We have taken similar action with the relatives
of Kr. William McBain, another aged
resident of Shanghai who was arrested at the same time
as Mrs. Martin. We hope that if the Chinese become
convinced that their international image has been
IN CONFIDENCE
/ adversely
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
WEL 31-7406
►
IN CONFIDENCE
adversely affected by the publicity given to
their outrageous behaviour towards these two
old people, they may decide to release them.
probably I think that it is/Ers. Hargreaves' intention
to enlist your support in stimulating
publicity. Vinything you can do to publicise
Mrs. Martin's plight would be most helpful.
I need hardly add that we should be
grateful if you would not disclose the fact
that we are encouraging the relatives to
seek publicity since this might adversely
affect Mrs. Martin's chances of release if it
came to the notice of the Chinese.
IN CONFIDENCE
9/2
5/2
Flag A.
15
ただ
eft
아~
Mr. Godden
I attach a draft reply from Lord Shepherd to a
letter from the Rt. Hon. Julian Amery, M.P., about the
detention of Mrs. Martin in China.
2. Mr. Amery encloses a letter he has received from
Mrs. Martin's sister, Mrs. Hargreaves, asking for
Mr. Amery's support in seeking publicity for her sister's
plight. We have been in regular touch with Mrs. Hargreaves'
nephew and have encouraged the family to seek publicity in
the hope that concern for their international image might
persuade the Chinese to release Kra. Martin. It is
apparent that Mrs. Hargreaves' letter is a direct result
of our encouragement, and I have indicated this in confidence
to Mr. Amery in the draft.
3. Lord Shepherd is familiar with the background to
Mrs. Martin's case.
(C. Wilson)
5 February, 1970.
Bonan 9/2
HOP
COMMONS
FROM: THE RT. HON. JULIAN AMERY, M.P.
Dear Sirs,
RECEIVED IN
GK (14)
ак
112. EATON SQUARE.
S. W. I.
BELGRAVIA 7409.
REGISTRY No. 23th January, 1970.
EVA 1710
GK301 /MAR.C
In Mr. Amery's absence, I enclose a letter from his constituent, Mrs.
Hargreaves, about her sister who has been arrested in Shanghai.
I wonder if the Department would have any information on this matter so
that Mr. Amery may reply to his constituent.
Yours faithfully,
Carduclam.
Secretary to Julian Amery.
The Foreign Office,
Bowning Street,
London,
S.W.1.
Enc.
+
42, Brangwyn Avenue
Brighton, 6. Sussex. Jan: 14th 1970.
Dear of. Amery,
I
T
As a resident of Jour constituency, ".
а
to your attention a matter
me the
may I bring which has been causing
Greatest concern.
I
бровоте Martin who was aroisted in
am a sister of Ops Connie
Shanghai last October, Eince when nno news has been heard of her prezent
whereabouts or of the crime she is supposed to have committed, 6in
foreign office has been
unable to obtain any
вест
information
·
·
·
+
:
It ough officent channels, and I feel
that if greater publicity were givin to this disgraceful conduct the
Chinese Authorities might be shamed into releasing my sister, action in
arresting
If you could re
ต
justifying there
her.
raise this maller
raise
in the House of Commons or assist
mi a
any
other way
Ishould be more
than grateful.
Yours sincerely,
Das Trida. Is Hargreaves.
-
1
+
FOREIGN AND GUA
19 JAN:970
ALLOCATIONS REʼTION
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Richard Dales, Esq.,
Far Eastern Desk (Extn.161),
Foreign Office,