PRIORITY
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
Despatched
Immediate
Restricted
-
Keerth
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
[Security
En Clair.
[
assification
Security classification -if any
Privacy marking -if any
[Codercord-if any]
Gode
Cypher
Draft Telegram to:- PEKING $4
Noi
(Date) 30p
And to:-
Repeat to:-~~
]
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addresscc(0)
9012
1224
|||
||....
F10) 2011572
UNCLASSIF
וי
LIJI
Addressed to..
telegram No.
Sex
PEKING
... ..
(date)
201
SLIJSLISIL
0
And to
repeated for information to
HONG KONG
·
Saving to....
Your telno 135.
HONG KONG
We
Saving to:-
agnee
notting
100
FUS
Distribution: FED HKD Mr Wilford
Copies to:-
to your proposals and have
add.
Kull 20/2
(K. MANNING FED
I
TI
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
FM PEKING 2003152
CONFIDENTIAL
FEH 14/1
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 135 OF 20 FEBRUARY INFO HONG KONG,
HONG KONG TELNO 108 TO YOU: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
I SHOULD LIKE TO CALL ON T'ANG ON THE MORNING OF 23 FEBRUARY
TO INFORM HIM ABOUT THE RELEASES. I WOULD PROPOSE TO SPEAK IN THE
SENSE OF THE LAST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 5 OF THE TELEGRAM
UNDER REFERENCE AND TO SAY ALSO THAT WE HOPE THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT
WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS, IS THERE
ANYTHING FURTHER WHICH SHOULD ADD?
2. GRATEFUL FOR REPLY BY Ø600 HOURS GĦT ON 22 FEBRUARY.
DENSON
FILES
FED
HKD
PS
PS TO PUS
PS TO MR ROYLE
SIR S TOMLINSON MR WILFORD
NNNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
1th
+
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
FM FCO 191833Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
P
(FED)
FEAT 14/1
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 155 OF 19 FEBRUARY INFO PRIORITY
PEKING.
YOUR TELNO 18.
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
THIS IS VERY WELCOME, AND I NOTE THAT THE BOARD WILL MEET AGAIN IN A
MONTHS TIME.
2. YOUR PROPOSALS ON TIMING ARE QUITE ACCEPTABLE. WE WOULD INVITE THE
CHINESE CHARGE TO CALL ON 24 FEBRUARY TO SEE MR ROYLE AND MR DENISON
WOULD BE ABLE TO WARN THE CHINESE IN PEKING THE SAME DAY AS PROPOSED IN
PEKING TELNO 118, OR BY CALLING AT THE MFA IF HE PREFERRED THIS.
3. IN SPEAKING TO THE CHARGE MR ROYLE WILL USE THE FORMULATION IN PARA 6
OF YOUR TEL UNDER REFERENCE STRESSING THAT THE RELEASES STEM FROM THE
NORMAL AND HUMANE PROCEDURES OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN DEALING WITH
PRISONERS. IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO INSPIRE A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION IN
GENERAL TERMS FOR ANSWER ORALLY ON 25 FEBRUARY WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO
GET THE SAME FORMULA ON THE PUBLIC RECORD. THE QUESTION WOULD BE
ANSWERED IN WRITTEN FORM IF NOT REACHED. TEXT OF QUESTION AND PROPOSED
ANSWER WILL
BE TELEGRAPHED TO YOU IN ADVANCE.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES:
ph
FED
HKD
NEWS D.
PS.
PS TO PUS
P3 TO MR ROYLE
SIR L MONSON
SIR S TULINSON
MR WILFORD
SIR J JUMISTON
+
CONFIDENTIAL.
I
חי
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s)
IIII..
Temter.
Registry No. DEPARTMENT
Fa
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
ሰላ
1218
Top Spare
Confidential Kevricted
Chakerified
Emergency -Immediate
Priority
Despatched
X
1735
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
M... ‒‒‒‒.... I
0052
CYPHE
-----
CONFIDENTIAL
- IM....-PIL. ..-'
1918302
ETC.
[
Security classification
Code
Cypher
Draft Telegram/fo:--
'Gov. Hangkang
155.
No.
(Date)
fand to:--
[Codeword-if any)
Addressed to
Gov. Hong Kong
15$ (date) 19/2
" ...
பய
telegram No...
19/2
And to
repeated for information to
Peking
Repeat to
Peking (pronity)
1/177
Saving 10
Your Fel N: 108 Confrontation prismers.
This is very welcome,
again
*T
I note that the
month time.
Beard will meet
Saving to:-
2. Your proposals
on timing are
quite
kre world
invite the Chinese Charge to
acceptable.
call
Distribution:-
Files
FED
HKD
Neurs Dept
PS.
PS KRVS Capire spr
PS. ATH: Royle
Sir L. Monic
Sie S. This
24 February to see M: Royle and Mi
Denson would
be able to worm
proproed
to Chinam in
Pelzing
in Pekking Fel N. 118,
the same day or by calling at the M.F. A. if he preferred this.
3. In speaking to tho Charge M. Royle will
are the formentations in para 6 of your Fel
unter
reference stressing that the releases
stem from the normal
and humane procedures
of 15 Hong Kong gor! in reating with prismmers.
-
It is alan propraent to inspire
Question
a Parliamentary
orally
general
Free and four
which will enable
25 February which will
محمد
get
would be answered
the same formed on
the public record. The question
im usritten form if not reached. Toget
of to question and propraco проброст
answer will be telegraphed to you
andrance.
iglü
(83347) (2) 3obu 14% #1
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Mr Wilford
CONFIDENTIAL
132
314
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
1. A draft reply to Peking telegram No 118 is
submitted.
2. Hong Kong Department concur.
L.
+
19 February 1971
SALMurgen
J A L Morgan
Fast 17/1
Far Eastern Department
We now have the Governor's tel
Copy to: Mr Laird (Hong Kong Dept)
No 108 which I have
discutent with M: Royle.
attach
a
draft Felegram
based
what
ple
agreed
Kun wit
with him
19/2
CONFIDENTIAL
BEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
P4 HONG KONG 1939102
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTJAL
TOP COPY
Ex 1/1
TO IMMEDIATE F.C.C. TELNO. 128 OF 19 FEBRUARY 1971
IMEDIATE INFO PEKING
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 123 TO ME: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
THE PRISON BOARD OF REVIEW, WHICH HET ON 18 FEBRUARY, RECOMMENDED TO ME
UNDER CONSIDERATION.
I HAVE ACCEPTED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
2. 22 OF THE PRISONERS WERE DUE FOR RELEASE ON 29 JULY THIS YEAR,
ASSUMING REMISSION OF ONE -THIRD. THE BOARD OF REVIEW RECOMMENDED THAT
THEIR SENTENCES OF SIX YEARS SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH SENTENCES
OF FOUR AND FIVE YEARS PASSED ON OTHERS WHO HAD COMMITTED SIMILAR
OFFENCES AND THAT THEY SHOULD THEREFORE BE RELEASED AS SOON AS
CONVENIENT. THE BOARD ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT SENTENCES ON TWO OTHER
PRISONERS DUE FOR RELEASE NOT EARLIER THAN 2 JUNE 1972 AND 2 SEPTEMBER
1972 SHOULD BE REDUCES
RESULTING
IN ONE BECOMING DUE FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATELY AND THE OTHER ON ABOUT 2
YAY.
3.
IN ADDITION, AND QUITE SEFERATELY FROM THE BOARD OF REVIEW,
I HAVE TECIDED THAT FUNG CHUN-SING SHOULD BE RELEASED AT THE SAME TIME
ON ERGUNDS OF UNDUE HARDSHIP IN PRISON RESULTING
FROM PARTIAL DISABLEMENT. HIS EARLIEST PELEASE DATE WOULD HAVE BEEN
9 MAY 1976.
40 IN SHORT, 24 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS WILL BE RELEASED NEXT THURSDAY,
25 FEBRUARY AND ONE OTHER ABOUT 2 MAY, APART FROM NORMAL RELEASES IN THE
SAME PERIOD ON EXPIRY OF SENTENCE.
CONFIDENTIAL
/5. I HAVE
·
5.
CONFIDENTIA L
I HAVE CHOSEN THIS DATE BECAUSE YOU WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO M ARRANCEMENTS
TO INFORM CHINESE GOVERNMENT OF THESE DECISIONS.
HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER 48 HOURS NOTICE TO THEM SUFFICIENT. IF WE GAVE
THEM MORE WORD WOULD GET BACK TO THE COMMUNISTS HERE IN TIME FOR THEY
CERTAINLY TO ORGANISE
DE'NSTATIONS, AND POSSIBLY TO MOUNT AN IMPRESSIVE AND PRIOR 'FREE
HE PRISONERS' CAMPAIGN TO WHICH THE ACTUAL RELEASE MIGHT BE
I HOPE YOU WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO AVOID
....SE.
ANY SUGGESTION THAT THESE RELEASES ARE MOTIVATED BY POLITICAL
CONSIDERATIONS AND WOULD STRESS THAT THEY FOLLOW FROM THE NORMAL
AND
6. WE SHALL AVOID PUBLICITY UNTIL THE RELEASES HAVE TAKEN PLACE. OUR
INFORMATION SERVICES WILL THEN SAY THAT AS A RESULT OF AN ADEIT- IONAL
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW, RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN MADE AND
ACCEPTED BY ME AS DESCRIBED IN PAPA, 2 ABOVE.
7. THE BOARD OF REVIEW WILL MEFT AGAIN ON 18 MARCH WHEN SO FAR ABOUT 8
MORE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS WILL BE CONSIDERED SEMICOLON BUT THEY ARE
MORE DIFFICULT CASES THAN THIS BATCH AND I DO NOT EXPECT THE BOARD TO
RECOMMEND REDUCTIONS IN SENTENCE IN MORE THAN A PROPORTION OF THEM.
MOREOVER, REDUCTIONS OF SENTENCE WILL NOT NECESSARILY MEAN VERY EARLY
RELEASE
STVERTED TO
FIXED TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT AS IS NOT UNUSUAL HERE ON REVIEW BY THE
BCARD.)
A LIST OF THE MANES OF THE PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED ON 25
FEBRUARY FOLLOWS BY BAG.
TRENCH
FILES
F.E.D.
H.K.D.
PRIVATE SECRETARY
P.S./P.U.S.
P.S./MR ROYLE
SIR S TOMLINSON
MR WILFORD
-2-
CONFIDENTIAL
r
+
+
| г
SONATHAN FIND
CYPHER CAT A
7
SPY
30
FX PEKING 16030OZ
CONFIDENTIAL
TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 118 OF 16 FEBRUARY INFO HONG KONG
CPERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).
L
HONG KONG TELNO 61 TO F C OF CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
I AM HOLDING A RECEPTION ON 24 FEBRUARY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE
REPAIRED CHANCERY TO WHICH I AM INVITING SENIOR CHIMESE OFFICIALS AND IT
WOULD ES FELICITOUS IF THE CHINESE COULD BE TOLD IN ADVANCE THAT SOME
RELEASES WERE TO BE MADE IN HONG KONG. DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE
COARD OF REVIEW, AND THE SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURES NECESSARY, I HOPE THAT
YOU KAY FIND IT POSSIBLE TO
SEND ME INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE THAT DATE.
DEISON
FILES
TED
FID
י
TO 1-VS
F3 TO IR ROYLE SIR L HOMSON SIR 3 TOMLINSON HR WILFORD
Plan BWV 1986.
MAI?
+
*7337
CONFIDENTIAL
T
+
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
(24)
He Will and Mi72 Mr Link this
Sys
OFFICE OF THE BRITISAFFAIRSE Sou
PEKING
FEHMI
9 February 1971
J AL Morgan Esq
FED
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Dear John,
SALMAG-
Mr Appleyard.
Wh
16.2
Encerapka
тары
If as a result of the meeting of the Board of Review on 18 February
(Hong Kong telegram no. 61) it is found possible to
it would be helpful
here if we could inform the Chinese in advance, or at least not later
than the news becomes public (or known to the Communists in Hong Kong).
This need not necessarily be done at a very high level, certainly not
above T'ang.
Yours ever,
Jam
J B Dengon
cc AF Maddocks, Esq
HONG KONG
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Cutting dated
THE PEOPLE
NO JAN ****
Sir Alec
in clash
A
People Diplomatta
Correspondent
ROW
between
Str
Alec Douglas-Home, Foreign Secretary, and Sir David French, Governor of
Hong Fing, is holding up a gES- ture of friendship by Britain towards
China.
Bir Alec wants the early release of the bulk of the 74 Chinese
imprisoned in Hong Kong for their part In the June, 1968, riots.
But Sir Day'o, an old- style governor who believes leniency creates only
more trouble, is prepared to free only a few prisoners whose sentences
have almost pired
Behind Bir Alec's plan, put forward after China un- freed British
expectedly
bank manager David John- son, la a desire to complete negotiations for
trade deals worth millions of pounds.
Pla
19
+
Fest well
/28
1
1
-
پاستور
forsk
pait
Cutting dated
DAILY EXPRESS
23 DEC 1/ 19
FRIENDLY GESTURE:
IN another gesture
of friendliness to the West, China announces the release of Mr. David
Johnston, a British bank manager who has been detained without trial for
two and a half years. With his liberation all short-term British
residents under arrest in China will have been freed.
This is a welcome sign of returning sanity after the excesses of the Red
Guards.
It would be wrong to assume that China is going to behave with civilised
restraint in future. But at least she deserves credit for rectifying
some of the crimes of the past.
If she is sincerely trying to improve relations with the rest of the
world we should move to meet her. And the best way to do that is to
increase Anglo- Chinese trade.
12
5
FINANCIAL TIMES
23 DEC 1970
Cutting dated
+
19
i
China to release Briton arrested in 1968
BY CHARLES SMITH, FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT
CHINA is to release Me. D. Job th
who was arrested in August 1965, the Foreign Office was informed
yesterday.
Royle. Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Foreign Office, with Mr. Ma
Chia-Chun, the de parting Chargé d'Affaires in London, who was paying a
fare well call Mr. M. however, is The release, coupled with Its believed
to have had nothing tling just before Christmas, | new to say on the
subject, and could prove to be a highly signifi- | it seems that the
decision to cant development for Sino-British release Mr. Johnston has
been relations.
taken in Peking independently of any moves recently made by Britain.
Mr. Johnston, although not the last British citizen to be held in China,
is the only remaining one who was not a permanent resi- dent of China
before his arrest. The Chinese note announcing his release which was
handed yeater day to Mr. John Denson, the CAfire in Peking, said that
Mr. Johnston will arrive in Hong Kong on Christmas Day.
British Chargé
The question of British de tainees in China was raised earlier this week
by Mr. Anthony
The implication which follows is that the Chinese Government, which has
previously tended to release British prisoners only in response to
gestures made by the UK, is now attempting to take the inftiative in
Stud Britsh reintiol saywallbe-hoping that Britain will respond by the
release of Chinese prisoners who were arrested during the 1987 clots in
Hong Kong.
There are believed to be be
৯
7
tween 60 and 70 Hong Kong prisoners whose sentences were directly
connected with the 1987 riots and the last of them, under full
remission, is not due to be released until 1974. However the Governor of
Hong Kong has the right to declare an amnesty for any or all of the
prisoners Small numbers
In addition, the Hong Kong Government das recently released small
numbers of the prisoners
sentenced during 1967 on medical grounds. Four prisoners with serious
illnesses were released in Hong Kong in October, a few days before China
ended the de tendon of Mr Peter Crouch, a British merchant navy officer
who had been arrested in 1968 Since then a further small batch of Hong
Kong prisoners bas come out of jail fagain on health grounds), but
without provoking ang immediate response from Peking.
It remains highly uncertain whether the Hong Kong Govern- ment will
release more of those arrested during the 1967 riots. especially since
any step in this direction could lead to allegations within the Colony
of discrimina. tion between one set of prisoners and another. However,
there is Ilitle doubt that such a move would produce a further im-
provement in Britain's relations with China.
These could be improved either by the raising of diplomatic re lations
to ambassadorial level, or by a further increase in the volume of
Sino-British trade. On the trade front Britain is already doing well
having Increased its exports last year to over £50m. compared with the
previous year's total of £28.5m. But it is known that China may be in
the market for large purchases of capital goods and the UK is believed
to be in the running for several major contracts.
Editorial comment Page 12
L
i
+
!
+
Peking frees
'Briton in
Christmas