NEWS DEPT.
CONSULAR DEPT.
E.R.D.
1.R.D.
I.P.D.
RESEARCH DEPT.
QQQQQ
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
- 9 SEP 1968
Fesly
TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.S
Communications Department
TO:
F2514.
FED
lu
3
109 YTC/1
Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
822 To Peking
Dr. 1. Russell
بر
B/Trade
Ha
(CREA)
(Signed)...
(Department).
(Date)..
Action taken in Communications Department:
(Initials).
Z....
(Date)..
9/9...
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
THE APPROPRIATE ARCHIVES DIVISION FOR RETENTION
Fes/4.
100
EN CLAIR
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN UFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO, 822
LASSIFIED
6 SEPTEMBER, 1968
(F)
بعلم
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 822 OF 6 SEPTENDER REPEATED FOR
INPORMATION TO HONG KONG POLAD SINGAPORE
MIP TE JOHNSTON
THE FOLLOWING 18 TEXT OF STATEMENT |-
** THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.19, HR SHEN PING, WAS TODAY SUMMONED
BY THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE. MR FOLEY'S PURPOSE WAS TO
RAIBE THE CABE OF HR D♫C. JOHNSTON, OF THE CHARTERED BANK IN SHANGHAI,
THE FACTS OF THE CASE ARE THESE. HR JOHNSTON WAS ARRESTED BY THE CHINESE
AUTHORITIES IN SHANGHAI ON 25 AUGUST, REPEATED REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN
MADE BY THE BRITISH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN PEXING, BUT THE CHINESE
AUTHORITIES HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARGES
AGAINST MR JOHNSTON AND HAVE REFUSED THE APPLICATION BY A MEMBER OF THE
OFFICE OF THE BRITISH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN PEKING TO VISIT SHANGHAI TO
SEE MR JOHNSTON. MR FOLEY EXPRESSED STRONG DISSATI 8- FACTION AT THE
ATTITUDE OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, AND REPEATED THE DEMANDS MADE IN
PIKENG THAT INFORMATION BE PROVIDED ABOUT THE CASE AND CONSULAR ACCESS
TO MR JOHNSTON PERMITTED, MR FOLEY ALSO REFERRED TO THE CASES OF OTHER
BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED IN CHINA, HE ALSO TOOK UP THE QUESTION OF THE
OUTSTANDING EXIT VISAS FOR MEMBERS OF OUR MISSION, THERE ARE SEVEN OUTST
ALL TOLB,
THE MEETING LASTED HALF AN HOUR'.
2. ASKED WHAT MR SHEN PING SAID IN REPLY, THE SPOKESMAN BAID
** MR SHEN PING TOOK NOTE''.
3. BEEN | FT.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
BUDKA
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I.R.D.
RESEARCH DEPT. I.P.D.
1
メメ
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FC514 X.X
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
Unclassified
Immediate →Priority
Routine
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addresson(s).
6 SEP 1988
(Date)..
1718
Despatched
109
[B]
LILI Y
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair Code Apher
Draft Telegram to :-
Peking
No.
(Date)
Auditor
822
6/9
MIPT
Repeat to
Hong Kong
Polad Spore
Saving to:-
Distributi Departmental F.E.D., News, Consular, ERD, IRD, Research.
J.P.D.
Copies to:-
Dr. I. Russell, C.R.E.D.
Board of Trade
0₤1162016
Security classification" -if any
[Securi
[
Privacy marking -if any
1
[Codeword-if any]
-- --1111
LIJJ-IIJLE.-----
ד
UNCLASSIFIED
PEKING
Addressed to
telegram No.......
822
(date)
619
And to
repeated for information to
LAT
Saving to
HONG KONG, POLAD SINGAPORE
JOHNSTON
The FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF STATEMENT: -
The Chinese Chargé d'Affaires 8.i., Mr. Shen
Ping, was today summoned by the Parliamentary Under-
Secretary of State. Mr. Foley's purpose was to
raise the case of Mr. D. C. Johnston,
of the Chartered
Bank in Shanghai. The facts of the case are these.
Mr. Johnston was arrested by the Chinese authorities
in Shanghai on 25 August. Repeated representations
have been made by the British Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking, but the Chinese authorities have failed to
provide any information about the charges against Mr.
Johnston and have refused the application by a member
of the office of the British Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking to visit Shanghai to see Mr. Johnston,
Foley expressed strong dissatisfaction at the
Mr.
attitude of the Chinese Government, and repeated the
demands made in Peking that information be provided
about the case and Consular access to Mr. Johnston
permitted.
representatie:
Me, Shen Ping undertook to report the
nie Government, 7
мак
032717 E.W.& S.,Ltd. 164m 3/67.
No Foley also refund to the cases of other Britial subject's defament in
China. He also
Footer of the question of the outstanding exit noos
Los ankombers
BUTSTANDING
of
There are
SEULIA
out missum
outstanding all bla.
The meeting lasted half
ane hour.
2. Asked what Mr Shawn Pung sand in refly,
the spokesman saine "To Shew Ping tool wote".
3. See. m.i.f.t.
dhost
[c]
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CYPHER/CAT A
Tup. copyon Fe6/3212
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 821
CONFIDENT | AL
108
TO PEKING
·6 SEPTEMBER 1969.
(F)
~ SEP 1508
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 821 OF 6 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG POLAD SINGAPORE.
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 823: JOHYSTON,
THE STATEMENT IN MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM WAS MADE BY NEWS
DEPARTMENT AT 12.38 TODAY FOLLOWING A CALL OF THE CHINESE CHARGE
D'AFFAIRES ON PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY. (A REPORT OF THE CALL IS
BEING TELEGRAPHED TO YOU SEPARATELY).
2. AT INSISTENCE OF 1.0.1. AND SIMON CARVES, WE AGREED THAT THE GROUP
SHOULD LEAVE THIS MORNING. WE ARRANGED HOWEVER TO BE. IN TOUCH WITH THEM
AT KARACHI OR DACCA, IF NECESSARY.
3.
DETAILS OF THE GROUP IN MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 824.
110
SO SF A
+
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
NEWS DEPT.
CONSULAR DEPT.
E.R.D.
1.A.D.
I.P.D.
RESEARCH DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
EN CLAIR
FRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
CY COR
TELNO 824
6 SEPTEMBER, 1968
UNCLASSIFIED
167
[ARCHIV
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 824 6 SEPTENDRECEIVED REPEATED
FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
JOHNSTON.
- 9 SEP 1968
F05/4
MRS. JOHNSTON HAS ASKED US WHETHER WE CAN TELL HER WHO EROKE THE NEWS TO
HIS MOTHER AND HOW SHE REACTED TO THIS.
FIRS. JOHNSTON IS APPARENTLY STANDING UP WELL TO THE STRAIN OF A VERY
DIFFICULT SITUATION BUT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HER IF YOU COULD ENABLE
US TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
2. MRS JOHNSTON IS NOW APPLYING SEPARATELY FOR HER EXIT VI SA. WE HAVE
SENT A NOTE TO CONSULAR DEPARTMENT SUPPORTING THIS APPLICATION,
MR. CRADOCK
FILES
F.E.D.
CONSULAR DEPT
NEWS DEPT.
بہار
Fe6/32(10
Top
эта сору
on fe
CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
6/3211.
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 823
CONFIDENTIAL
6 September, 1968
My telegram No. 809: Simon Carves.
. RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31 -9 SEP 1968
574
Fes/4...
Mr. and Mrs. Hill and Ansell arrived Peking on
5 September. Mrs. Hill will continue her journey to the
U.K. on 7 September. The two men have come to meet
!
J
106
Simon Carves party from London, whom the Chinese say will arrive
in Peking on 7 September.
2.
Grateful to know urgently whether this information is correct, and if so
what has been decided regarding publicity about Johnston (my telegram
No: 810).
Mr. Cradock
FILES
F.E.D.
uuuuu
+
103
ADVANCE COPIES SENT.
CONFIDENTIAL
E514
$82918
FOREIGN OFFICE, 8.1.1.
29 August, 1968.
FC514
I understand from Mr. Murray that he promised to let you have the text
of the report from Peking after Mr. Grudoak's meeting with the Consular
Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affaire following Kr.
Johnston's detention. The relevant telegram reads as follows:-
"After repeated requests I finally obtained an interview this afternoon
with Mr. Lao, Deputy Divicional Chief of Consular Department. This was 8
low level reception, but we were hardly in a position to choose.
2. I reported the news I had received from Shanghai on Johnston's
arrest, expressing my serious concern, and adding that I was sure it
would be shared by Her Majesty's Government, I explained Johnston's
position as manager of branch whose hand-over to Cannings had been
formally socepted and who had applied with his wife in June for exit
visas. I referred also to circumstances of his mother's illness and of
his own medical complaints which, according to the Chinese doctors,
would probably require an operation. I gave kr. Lao a copy of the
medicul certificate on this last point.
3. I requested immediate information on charges, if any, against
Johnston, and persiusion for a representative of this office to travel
immediately to Shanghai to talk to him.
4. Mr. Leo said he would inform me after investigation to relevant
departments. I stressed the urgency of the matter and asked when a reply
could be expected.
He repeated his phrase and was unable to say how long a reply would
take. I said that I expected his reply within a few days at the very
latest.
15.
P. H. Taggart, Esq.,
The Chartered Bank,
38 Bishopsgate,
London, E.C.2.
ب تیرا
105
AN
5. This failure to give an immediate reply should not necessarily be
construed as malevolence or deliberate delay on representatives part. It
more probably reflecta disarray of it all. I had impression that Lae was
genuinely not fully informed. we shall keep up enquiries by telephone
and, failing a reply, seek another interview in a few days time. da
ramain in touch with Shanghai by telephone."
( E. J. Sharland ) Far Eastern Department
GENERAL MANAGERS'
OFFICE
104
TELEPHONE 01-588 36868
PHT/BT
THE CHARTERED BANK
38, BISHOPSGATE LONDON, E. c. 2
26th August, 1968
RED IN
*.31
18
Festa
Dear Mr Sharland,
Please hand the bearer of this note a copy
of the Peking telegram re Johnston about which I rang
you earlier this morning.
Yours sincerely,
Hig
PH Taggart
Assistant General Manager.
E. J. Sæland Esquire,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street,
S. W. L.
Action taken
Re
CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY PEKING
TO
Telno 810
FOREIGN OFFICE
1 September 1968
roz
{ RECEIVED IN
·A· No. 1 ✓ 3!
-- 3 SE 368
4
101 T02?
CONFIDENTIAL
Mressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 810 of 1 Septemb Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
Your telegrams Nos. 806 and 807: Johnston
I agree Johnston's arrest is connected with Singapore affair, though
Shanghai spy-mania could be a logical reason in itself. It is obviously
advisable for Chartered Bank to do all they can to extricate themselves
from the too prominent role they have played in Singapore. [?go omitted]
Other banks there help by furnishing Bank of China funds to substitute
in whole or even in part for 7 million from Bank of China account with
Chartered Bank. F23/24 160
2.
99
I do not think this effects the arguments for publicity given in my
telegrams Nos. 764 and 786 and I agree that we cannot hold the present
situation long. For example, a member of the Italian Trade Kission was
in Shanghai at the time of the arrest and knows the facts. He has agreed
to keep quiet but soon other less amenable foreign visitors to Shanghai
will get . the story.
+
3. I must add that in a recent telephone talk Cannings said he was
rather worried that publicity might mean a lot of letters criticicing
the Chinese would be sent to the Shanghai community. He may have been
intimating that the community are having doubts about the value of
publicity for them. I understand their hesitation but regard the
arguments in favour as overriding. Publicity abroad and in commercial
world could be specially useful.
4.
Our efforts here to obtain information have so far proved fruitless. We
have telephoned Consular Deparment daily since 26 August. On 29 August
Garside sought an interview but was told on 31 August that Consular
Department had no time to see him. His travel application to visit
Johnston in Shanghai made on 27 August ras refused on 29 August. There
seems no reason therefore to delay publicity after 3 September.
5.
I assume you will ensure that before publicity breaks Johnston's mother
is informed.
Chnst
Foreign Office pass Routine Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTUENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
Consular Dept.
E.R.D.
3.3.A.D.
News Dept.
NNNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 807
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PEKING 29 AUGUST 1968
(FT
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 807 OF 29 AUGUST
RF I HONG KONG AND BHC SINGAPORE.
M.I.P.T. : JOHNSTON,
101
102
RECEIVED IN
! ARCHIVES No.3*!
- 3 SEP 1968
THE DETAILS WHICH THE CHARTERED BANK HAVE PROVIDED ABOUT THE AFFAIR ARE
THESE.
SOME TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THE BANK OF CHINA IN SINGAPORE WERE IN SERIOUS
STRAITS, THEY RAISED A LOAN FROM THE BANK NEGARA (CENTRAL BANK) IN
SINGAPORE, MORGAGING THEIR PREMISES. EFFORTS OF THE BANK NEGARA TO
RECOVER THE LOAN FAILED, THEY THEREFORE HAD TO RECOURSE TO THE COURTS
AND OBTAINED A 'GARNISHEE** ORDER, 1.E. AN ORDER ATTACHING MONEY
DEPOSITED BY THE BANK OF CHINA WITH OTHER BANKS IN SINGAPORE. UNDER THE
ORDER SOME SEVEN OR EIGHT BANKS IN SINGAPORE WERE REQUIRED TO PAY
SUBSTANTIAL SUMS HELD BY THEM IN DEPOSIT FOR THE BANK OF CHINA INTO THE
SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE CHARTERED BANK, THE LEADING BANK IN SINGAPORE,
FEARING THAT NEWS OF LARGE PAYMENTS BY NUMBERS OF BANKS IN SINGAPORE
MIGHT TO A GENERAL RUN ON BANKS BY SMALL DEPOSITORS, INDICATED THAT THEY
HAD ENOUGH FUNDS IN THEIR BANK OF CHINA ACCOUNT TO MEET THE WHOLE SUM
INVOLVED (SEVEN MILLION SINGAPORE DOLLARS), AND BY ARRANGEMENT PAID THIS
SUM INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE (WHERE IT STILL REMAINS). THE LOCAL
MANAGER OF THE BANK OF CHINA AT FIRST THANKED THEM FOR THEIR LEAD IN
HANDLING THIS CRISIS: BUT LATER ON, CLEARLY ON INSTRUCTIONS FROM PEKING,
HE CONDEMNED THE GARNISHEE'' ORDER AS ILLEGAL AND CRITICISED THE
CHARTERED BANK SEVERELY FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN AN IMPERIALIST PLOT**
CONFIDENTIAL
12......
CONFIDENTIAL
2
2. THE CHARTERED BANK MAINTAIN THAT THEY HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO OBEY
THE GARNISHEE** ORDER, BUT THEY RECOGNISE WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT
THAT IT WAS PERHAPS UNWISE FOR THEM TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE WAY THEY
DID. THEY HAVE SO FAR DERIVED SOME CONSOLATION FROM THE FACT THAT THE
BANK OF CHINA IN SINGAPORE HAS NOT YET ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THINGS THERE TO
THE LIMIT. THIS THEY COULD DO BY PRESENTING THE CHARTERED BANK WITH A
CHEQUE IN RESPECT OF THE SUM WHICH THE CHARTERED BANK HAVE ALREADY PAID
INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE CHARTERED BANK WOULD HAVE TO REFUSE
PAYMENT OF THE CHEQUE, AND WOULD AT THE VERY LEAST EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO
FURTHER CRITICISM FROM THE BANK OF CHINA FOR NOT ACCORDING OVERDRAFT
FACILITIES.
SO SF A
DEPAKTALAMA DISTRIBUTION
F.O.
2.2.D.
Consulent DEFT.
3.R.D.
4.2.A.D.
BE.... JEET.
c.o.
BO NG DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
Faclet
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)..
Top Secret
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s).
---
ECIPHER
Confidential
Priority
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
[Securit
In Confidence
'Security classification"
if any
CONFIDENTIAL
En Plair. Lode
[
Cypher
Privacy marking -if any
[Codeword-if any]
702
-------
--
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
16452
Buk
768
Draft Telegram to:-
Peking
(Date)
And to:-
Repeat to, Hong Kong
807
Addressed to
telegram No.....
And to
PEKING
807
(date)
29/8
398 repeated for information to
BHC Singapore
Saving to:- Labide by thems in deforrit for
the Bank of Chine
Distribution:-
Departmental
F.E.D.
Consular Dept.
B.R.D.
S.E.A.D.
News Dept.
Klapin Anok
c.o.
Hong Kong Dept.
Saving to..
HONG KONG AND BHC SINGAPORE
[Abbotto@by---------aldakalpakpakan kamp AZANI
M.I.P.T.: Johns ton.
The details which the Chant und Bank have purrebel about the affait and
the. Some two years ago, when the Bank of China in
Singapore were in serious straits,they raised a loan
from the Bank # Negara (Central Bank) in Singapore,
mortgaging their premises. Efforts of the Bank in
Negara to recover the loan failed. They therefore
had to recourse to the Courts and obtained a
"garnishee" order, i.e. an order attaching money
deposited by the Bank of China with other banks in
Singapore. Under the order some seven or eight
banks in Singapore were required to pay substantial
sums into the Sheriff's Office. The Chartered Bank, He landing bank in
Singafun
fearing that news of large
payments by numbers of
banks in Singapore might lead to a general run on the
banks by small depositors, Le Singepera indicating that