gesture
By A. M. Rendel Diplomatic Correspondent
Cuiting dated
China has agreed to release Mr. David Johnston, the 56 1 year-old
British manager of the Chartered Bank's branch in Shanghai, who was
arrested at the height of the Cultural Revo- lution in August, 1968, and
accused of spying. He is expec- ted to cross the frontier into Hongkong
on Christmas Day.
Mr. John Denson, the British Chargé d'Affures in Peking, was called to
the Foreign Ministry on Monday and told that Mr. Johnston was to be
released today in Shanghai.
The Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday that everything possible was
being done to assist Mrs. Johnston to fly to Hong. kong, to be there
when her hus- band crosses the bridge at LowWU,
This is the latest in a series of signs that the Chinese Govern- ment
now desire an improvement in relations with Britain. They would
certainty iske an increase in trade and there are good pros pects for it
in particular the Chinese need fertilizers and transport aircraft.
What is significant is that the Chinese have made this gesture at the
Christmas season without putting forward say condition whatever,
although they must have in mind that the Chinese New Year celebrated
with an much enthusiasm as Christmas here-falls early in 1971 and that
there are 74 Chinese subjects it prison in Hongkong convicted of grave
crimes of violence dur- ing the Hongkong disturbances of June, 1968.
Clea:ly some reciprocal gesture will be looked for, and the Hongkong
Govern- ment is no doubt considering seriously what sort of response
would be appropriate.
Mr. Juhaston's release leaves Do Brush subjects officially
THE TIMES
23 DEC 1970
19
Mes. Elizabeth Johnston celebrating her husband's release. She hopes to
fly to Hongkong for his arrival on Christmas Day.
under arrest in China, but four are still believed to be detained.
They are Mrs. Gladys Yang, the British wife of a Chinese, who worked as
a literary translator and is believed to have been in custody since
July, 1968; Mrs Elsie Epstein, formerly Ehie Fairfax-Cholmondeley,
arrested with her American husband, Mr. Israel Epstein: Mr. Michael
Shapiro, aged 57, once a com- munist councillor at Stepney and Later a
translator employed by the Government in Peking; and Mr. David Crook,
who had also been
employed by the Chinese Gov- ernment. The last three are be lieved to
have been detained since the end of 1967
H
A Staff Reporter writes: Mr. Johnston's wife said yesterday at her home
in Bramhall, Cheshire: "It is the best Christmas present this family has
ever had. We are overjoyed and very, very excited."
+
She added: "I have had an open booking for a fight to Hongkong and I
think I shall have to fly out to see him as soon as it can be arranged.
+
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+
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115
FINANCIAL TIMES
Cutting dated
1579
29 DEC $572, 19
Plea for leftists held in Hong Kong riots
TWO left wing Hong Kong newspapers to-day published letters from
relatives of people detained during the 1967 lefumi riots here demanding
their imme- diate release.
The letters-published three days after the British banker, Mr. David
Johnston, arrived here after 35 months' detention in China-claimed the
detainees bad suffered severe izental and physical torture.
Over 70 people are still serving prison sentences out of about 1,000
arrested during the distur bances.
The letters appeared in thei Chinew-language Wen Wei Pao and Ta Kung Pao
newspapers, Hoa: Kong's two main pro-Peking journals. The letters
alleged that the detainees had been, arrested without reason and con-i
victed na trumped-up charges. They have been victims of severi beatings,
diseases, cold, -bunger and torture." the letter!
in the Wen Wel Pao said.
We demand that the Hong :Kang British authorities im- mediately release
all our kith and kin and give them freedom." It added.
The letter in the Ta Kung Pao contained similar allegations of cruelty
sad a **solemn demand *for the detainees' releases.
H
Mr. Johnston, the former man- ager of the Shangbai branch of the
Chartered Bank, left for London to-night. Asked if he was feeling better
after three days' rest in Hong Kong the 56- yearold banker told
exporters:
A sort of reaction bas set in." His wife Elizabeth who flew here. from
England to meet him at the] border, said: "We will feel much better on
the plane."
Mr. Johnston looked relaxed as he walted for bis fight in the,
HONG KONG, Dec. 28.
**
VIP room on Hong Kong airport. Asked if he would give a Press conference
to I ondan. Mr. Johnston said: "1 do not want to talk about it at this
montent," But the Hong Kong branch inanager of the Chartered Bank, ; Mr.
David Müller said a Press conference had been scheduled in London.
Mr. Miller fended off further questions, saying Mr. Johnston bad already
given a Press con- ference shortly after his arrival, Reuter
:
L
79/12
[
FINANCIAL TIMES
Cutting dated 23 DEC 1970 19 A Chinese gesture
THE RELEASE of Mr. D. C. Johnston, the former manager of the Chartered
Bank in Shang- hai, which WES anzgunced yesterday by the Chinese
Government, is an important step towards the normalisation of
Sino-British relations, Mr. Johnston was the last British detainee In
China who was not either employed by the Chinese before the Cultural
Revolution or permanently resident in Chine for other reasons. It seems
that Peking has taken the instrative in letting him out 10 time for
Christmas Instead of having to be shamed into doing so by some previous
initiative on the part of Britain. It re Kains to be asked what China
expects by way of return for this gesture.
Hong Kong prisoners
The answer, almost certainly. de that China is trying to obtain the
release of the Chinese prisoners in Hong Kong who were arrested during
the 1967 riots and who, in some cases, are under sentences lasting until
1974. There is no doubt about the Involvement of any of the men stil!
under arrest in the violence which swept the British colany during 1967
when the Cultural Revolution spilled over from China, and the Hong Kong
Government deserves credit for already having gone a long way to
minimise their sentences.
All the prisoners have received the maximum legal remission and several
have bren released from jail on medical grounds. But it still within the
Governor's power to cut short the remaining sentences_hy special amnesty
if he feels that It would be safe in the CONGRE of Hong Kong's internal
situa- tlon for him to do so.
If such a move were made in Hong Kong (ideally in time for the Chinese
New Year which falls at the beginning of Febru- ary) there can be no
doubt that the fect on Britain's relations with bung Wold be very
17
marked Indeed. China has just appointed 17 Bew Chargé d'Affaires to its
mission in Lon- don, replacing a stiplnant who has been in Britain for
the past seven years and there can be little doubt that the new man will
be better placed than hir predecessor to pursue a positive line of
action
China's trade with Britain. which has tended to stagnate this year anter
very rapid expan- sion in 1949, may also be on the verge of a new
take-off. But the Chinese are not above hint- ing that any purchase of
British capital goods (or of sirereft In. which the UK appears to be
very de#nitely making the running) could be dependent on a satisfactory
solution to political problems.
The remaining sphere in which Britain's relations with China conto be
improved is that of diplomatic representation. China insists on keeping
its mission in London at the level of Arting Chargé d'Affaires de spite
the fact that it has pow exchanged ambassadors with many countries in
the West. including France, Italy and Canada. In order to induce the
Chinese to accept a British Ambassador in Peking, the U.K would probably
have to do more than speed up the release of prisoners in Hong Kong.
Taiwan problem
-
It would need also (according te indications from Peking) to withdraw
the present British Consul from Tamsul, the provin- cial capita' of
Taiwan, and to abandon its frequently stated position that the
international status of Taiwan 1s undeter- mined." But even if the
Govern ment feels unable to go as far as this in the tramediate future
there is no doubt that scope does exist to achieve an impor tant
improvement in relations. with China. For once the Chipere-hext takes
dhe inISIN tive in making a gesture towards Britain. It would be a
mistake for Britain bot la respond.
3
بے
1
-
Cutting dated
THE PEOPLE
10 JAN ****
Sir Alec
in clash
A
People Diplomatie Correspondent
SIT
ROW belween Alec Douglas-Home, Poreign Becretary, and Sir David Trench,
Governor of Hong Fang, is holding up a ges ture of friendship by Britain
towards China,
Sir Alec wants the early release of the bulk of the 74 Chinese
imprisoned Hong Kong for their paTİ in the June, 1968, riots.
But Su David, an old- style governor who believes leniency creates only
more trouble, is prepared to trea only a few prisoners whose sentences
have almost ex pied.
Behind Sir Alec's plan, put forward after China un- freed British
expectedly
bank manager David John- son, is a desire to complete pegollations for
trade deals worth millions of pounds.
F
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LONDRES, HG.~ NORMALISATION (UN) (SIGNE GEORGES HORIAT)
LA GRANDE BRETAGNE ET LA CHINE FRANCHIRONT DANS QUELQUES JOURS UNE
NOUVELLE ETAPE DANS LA NORMALISATION DE LEURS RELATIONS DIPLOM- ATIQUES,
APPREND-ON. DE BONNE SOURCE. . JOHN DENSON, ACTUELLEMENT CHARGE
D'AFFAIRES
PAR INTERIM'' A PEKIN, DEVIENDRA CHARGE D'AFFAIR- ES ''EN TITRE"! ET IL
EST PROBABLE QUE SON HOMOLOGUE CHINOIS A LONDRES, M. P'El CHIEN TCHING,
ASSUMERA LE MEME RANG.
-
A ON APPREND EN OUTRE QUE LES AUTORITES BRITANNIQUES DE HONG KONG
- A L'OCCASION DU NOUVEL AN CHINOIS PROCEDERONT PROCHAINEMENT UNE LARGE
AMNISTIE DONT BENEFICIERONT LES DETENUS CHINOIS CONDAMNES A DES PEINES
DE PRISON A LA SUITE DES TROUBLES QUI ONT EU LIEU DANS 'LA COLONIE
PENDANT LA REVOLUTION CULTURELLE.
-- - - --
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7" Jan, 1971.
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}
EXTRACT
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
9/1/20
8- S.C.M. POST, SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 11
South China Morning Post No amnesty for 1967 prisoners
IN
news
'N our late news column fomented riots, de or 23who in yesterday
published threw bombe
a cable report from London other ways did their best-
to destroy the peace of the community.
It difficult to see what
to the effect that a number of prisoners jailed during the 1907
disturbances justification there can be would be given angesties
moreover, for a partial or by the Hongkong verb
wholesale amnesty on the ment this
grounds that the political under
climata between Clan and Britain is changing. Here in Hongkong we are
faced relslode with a serious uprave in
repor report esvil vielence and it in dife denied et to see how the
Courts
la impose.
UK
for
with
mment
VIT
Luina. The has since been
and
though the Prisons Board of Review could reduce tences if a numbs_im-:
sentences because of good posed during a period of behaviour' or for
humani-
violence three years ago tarian reasons because of re to be Arminated
pre- age or severe Piness. In- deed
a number have al
ready be released for these reasons alreadyì
beauce.
of
But even if there were DO crime wave
Long-
It cannot be stressed too kong, the principle would often that the men
con- be the same. What argu- cerned are по different ment can be adduced
for from any other prison in- leniency towards one group mate. They were
tried and of criminals and not an- sentenced not because of other? What
Te the their political beliefs but confrontation criminals because Di
individual done to warrant special criminal acts. Some had treatment?
And the fact no affinities with the left remains that if the pual- ista
and were recruited tive aspect of imprison- only to make trouble. But
ment retaine any validity whether leftists, or triads then this group of
leon- or criminals who decided era
made to to throw in their lot with serve out their terms to the
leftists, they knew the demonstrate that activities risks and there can
be no of this kind will not be sympathy for those who tolerated,
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Mr. Magar torce bust
Ettracts
EXTRACT
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
9/1/11
Amnesty
prospects
ruled out
BY JOE VEIO ARM
There will be no amnesty for the 74 peopła who
were jailed after they were tried and convicted of Amnesty
offences committed during the 1967 rlots.
It was learned from au- thoritative sources yesterday that if any of
them are in fac released
released before their priso terme expire it will be either because of
good conduct or for humanitarian reasons, such as ill health.
Persons detained for poli- tical reasons under Emer- gency Regulations
were all released many months ago, Those still in jail are those who
broke the law, many
violently, the sources pointed out.
an
Fifty-one people died in the 1967 Hots. Filter of them were killed by
bomb axplosions, ¿- including members of the Police Force, two
an Army sergeant and oficer of the Fire Services. Eight police officers
were killed in other incidents.
The 1,936 people arrested were convicted of such crimes
POETSESION ot bombs, explosives and offen- sive weapons, assault,
rioting and causing grievous Bodily harm.
Of the 74 still in prison the Last s due for release · six years from
now.
Indication
Periodicalić, relally have asked the zulborilled for early release of
the prisoners, but observers noted yesterday that they had not been sup-
ported by any wider outery.
"This is, perhaps an indi- cation that even the com- munists may bë
drawing
drawing a distinction between the pre- sent prisoners and the politi-
cal group whose detention aroused their ire as well as that of Peking"
an observer said.
prospects
(Continued from Page 1)
They said it was inconcely.
arnment would interfere with able that any British Gov-
the due processes of law and justice.
"Even Bernadette Deviln
in the 1980 Londonderry riotą, was imprisoned for her part
two months She was freed
sentence was served, but this before her full six months
was for good conduct and not because Government "în
Inter- yened although i vu a Member of Parliament," # was pointed eat,
Asked *lier It was pos→ sible that, in reviewing cases, the Prison
authorities would the long sentences which some take into special
confideration
official said: of the 74 are serving, a semi-
hippo
"I do," think so. In first place, redtiction of * tences is a matter for
the courts. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that long sen- tences
actually indicate the scriouem of the offencem commited."
A Government issued last night said:
tatement
"There no change in the present pokles, regarding the release of
prisoners serving sentences for offences mixed during the P87 diz-
turbances.
Most political analysis in Hongkong do not believe it is true that there
has been "strong pressure from Lon- don" for an amnesty hecOUSS "The
Prison Board of Re of a desire to improve Bino- | view examines all
Jong-term British relations, as reported | sentences regularly. All pri-
" in some quarters,
ormal re
› ] (Comid on Back Fagn, Col. ) Press reports of an i
mission for good behaving.
for confrontation prisoners are completely untrue."
Mr. Royle
CONFIDENTIAL
H.R
21
In the light of your meeting this morning and the measure
of agreement reached amongst all of us present, I submit two
draft telegrams to the Governor of Hong Kong as agreed. The
texts have been discussed between myself and Mr. Morgan, but I
have not been able to clear them, owing to pressure of time,
with either Sir L. Monson or Sir S. Tomlinson.
sent copies to them.
and Sir D. Greenhill.
I have, however,
I have also sent copies to Private Secretary
27 January 1971
m
Wilford
Now redrafted at Soft's neety
27
Mrz
CONFIDENTIAL
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CO "OLAD SINGAPORE
I would kina
CYPHER/CAT A
CHEREDENTIAL
FMC 0 2211122
CONFIDENTIAL
Ninte
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kam
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in
refering the Pretting tet No42 relianing sune punschers now.
Afte
TC FLASH EHC SINGAPORE TELEGRAM NO 339 OF 22 JAN INFO TO
IMEDIATE PHNOM PENH, SAIGON, VIENTIANE, WASHINGTON, MOSCOW, PARIS,
SANGKOK, DJAKARTA, POLAD SINGAPORE INFO SAVING TO HANO1.
23/1,
FOP GRAHAM.
CAMBODIA: ATTACK ON PHNOM PENH AIRPORT.
LETS DEPARTMENT ARE TAKING THE FOLLOWING LINE UNATTRIBUTAELY:
(1) VESTERDAY'S ATTACK APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DIRECTED MAINLY AGAINST
PHNOM PENH AIRPORT AND NAVAL INSTALLATIONS, AND TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED CLT
DY ROCKETS AND MORTARS.
(^) WE HAVE NO REPORT OF BRITISH CASUALTIES.
L - +
(2) THIS LATEST ATTACK SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WAR IN
INDO-CHINA,
(4) THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE IN CAMBODIA (AS ALSO IN SOUTH VIETIAM
AND LAOS) IS THE ILLEGAL PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY OF LARGE
BERS OF NORTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS, WHO ARE CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ATTACK.
(B) ALL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THE NUMBER OF CAMBODIANS FIGHTING
ON THE COMMUNIST SIDE IS VERY SMALL.
2. 1 ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF ACTION BY BRITAIN
THEY WILL SAY ON THE RECORD:
ALCE HYG HAVE ALREADY MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR ON REPEATED OCCASIONS THEIR
WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ANY ACTION, EITHER AS GENEVA CO-CHAIRMAN CR IN ANY
OTHER WAY, WHICH MIGHT HELP END THE WAR IN INDO-CHINA.
UNFORTUNATELY THE RUSSIAN CO-CHAIRMAN HAS NEVER SO FAR SHOWN ANY
WILL IGNESS TO AGREE TO JOINT ACTION. UNQUCTE
CLAC-HOME
CONFIDENTIAL
1.
KONG PRISONERS]
The Private Jecretary huu uaid the Secretary of Stale wishes to discuss
this subject at 4.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 27th.
2. I supported the general proposition behind the Secretary of State's
telegram No.24 that a substantial gesture to the Chinese in these
matters was in the long-term interests of Hong Kong and I had hoped that
by private consultation with the Governor we
could bring him to see that.
3. As things have developed since however I have grave doubta whether
such a geajfure still remains in the long-term interoute the Colony.
refer to the ill-timed Press speculation on the subject and the
self-generited mood of approhension and opposition
In the that have been created in Hong Kong by thin speculation.
circus tunces wholemule releanos could easily turn anpr-hong isa into
panic and in that event it is almost inconceivable that the 0.P.G. would
not stir up the troubled pot to secure what must be their most desirable
policy aim to reduce Hon" Kong to the
same state of puppet-like impotenes na Macao. It in one thing for the
Hong Kong Becurity forces to contain communiut disturbances (as they did
in 1967) when the population has rallied behind them: it would be quite
a different matter if the population were in
a state of panic and anxiously hedging their bets.
4. If however this view is not accepted, I do not think that the revised
draft is calculated to bring the Governor round to the
contrary view: there is much in it which he will with pronter or leus
reuton regent especially the statement that the question
498| Pinangra, met bo danid with with thự Truno
of Britain's relations with China. It must be remembered that
he has been "conditioned"
"
P
CONFIDENTIAL
/(1)
1
CONFIDENTIAL
5.
(1)
by ten years' experience as a Colonial Governor in which he has been
accustomed to exercise the delegated power of pardon "in his own
deliberate judgment" against the back round of the general policy,
stated in Purliumont in 1947 and followed since that "inter- vention by
Her Majesty on the advice of the Secretary of State... would seriously
impair the administration of justice in the Colonies" (Mr. Creach Jones
in the Commons 11 August 1947); and
-
(11) by his own views ne to the responsibilities of a
Governor of Hong Kong in briefing us on the qualities of a Governor
against the background of choosing a successor to himself ho set high on
the lot of priorities that a Governor should be Buon to be
defending the interests of Hong Kong against all-corners including and
perhaps specially the United Kingdom.
I would prefer to nue 3something on the lines of the original draft mont
with a view to influencing the Governor'o jutment towards more and move
apody releason, It could be strengthored by the arguments in the revised
draft to the effect that we cannot rely on the Chinese taking a rebuff
lying down and therefore a situation very different from 1967 in on the
cards. But on the other hand the draft does not take account of the
weakness in our position caused by the
reaction to the Proun spegulation,
6. In short my usressment is that whatever we do we run a risk of
serious trouble but our chances of containing it are that much better if
the bulk of the people of Hong Kong reckém we are standing firm and have
not persuaded themselves that we shall rive way to pressure. I do not
believe that there in any simificent "middle
/ground"
CONFIDENTIAL
12.
CONFIDENTIAL
ground" of opinion that can be rallied to us. The bulk of the
people will back whom they think is the winner and are likely
in that case to determine the issue of the conflict.
25 January 1971
Copies to:
Wind/mem
(L. Mondon)
P.U.S. (with copy of original submission and drufts)
Sir S. Tomlinson
Mr. Wilford
Mr. Laird
Mr. Leahy (as for P.U.S.)
Mr. J.A.1. Morgan
BOLFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CYTHER/CAT A
FM PEKING 0603452
TRICTED.
+
RESTRICTED
R
+
1
FEA 14/1
+
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 93 OF 6 FEBRUARY INFO HONG KONG.
TOP CO:
I CALLED ON THE DEPUTY-DIRECTOR OF CONSULAR DEPARTMENT, WANG
CHUNG-LI, THIS MORNING TO INTRODUCE GALSWORTHY AS THE NEW CONSUL.
AFTER DISCUSSION ON SOME ROUTINE CONSULAR BUSINESS WANG RAISED
THE QUESTION OF THE MEMORANDUM WHICH HAD BEEN DELIVERED WHEN THEY
HAD INFORMED US OF JOHNSTON'S RELEASE. HE SAID THAT THE CHINESE
HOPED FOR
RELEASE OF CHINESE PRISONERS IN JAIL IN
·
HONG KONG: THIS WAS EXTREMELY
MENT OF RELATIONS.
IMPORTANT FOR THE CONTINUED IMPROVE-
2. I REPLIED THAT THE NOTE WAS BEING ACTIVELY STUDIED IN LONDON.
I SAID THAT I WAS NOT IN A POSITON TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT AT
PRESENT BUT THAT I WAS AWARE OF THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH THE
CHINESE REGARDED THIS MATTER. I REAFFIRMED THAT IT REMAINED H M G'S
DESIRE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS AND TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO SUCH
IMPROVEMENT.
3. I THEN RAISED THE QUESTION OF THE FOUR BRITISH SUBJECTS
BELIEVED TO BE DETAINED IN CHINA AND SAID I HOPED THAT THEY WOULD
SOON BE RELEASED, OR THAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM.
WANG INDICATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THESE CASES BUT HAD NOTHING TO
SAY ABOUT THEM.
DENSON
DEPARIMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HKD
CONSULAR D
NEWS D
IRD
20D (PES)
RESTRICTED
ra
26
1
+
+
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
7:г.c.o. 6439257.
CONFIDENTIAL.
CONFIDENTIAL ́
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO 183 OF 4 FEBRUARY INFO PEKING (PERSONAL FOR
DENSON).
咆
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 611 PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR, CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
Бен
ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT FEEL ABLE TO ADVANCE THE MEETING OF THE BOARD-
OF REVIEW I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO TAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS THIS MONTH. YOU KNOW
FROM PARAGRAPH 5 OF MY TELEGRAM NO 82 THE SORT OF NUMBERS I HAVE
IN MIND AND HOW KEEN I AM TO REACH THEM. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS
VERY RECENTLY TOLD ME THAT HE WANTS TO SEE RESULTS ON SEVERAL
ISSUES AFFECTING SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS WHICH INCLUDE RELEASES OF
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS,
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
WED
HKD
PS
P3
PUS
PB TO MR ROYLE
SIR L MONSON SIR S TOMLINSON MR VILFORD
+
CONFIDENTIAL
I
11/
+
25
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No. DEPARTMENT FE
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
Despatched
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s)
512
0012
--
ו-יו
Top Secret Secret Confidential
"Restricted
Unchained
Emergency Immediate
C
En Clair. Code
[
Security classification
CONFIDENTI L. Ottoq25
04:0925
ER
Cypher