OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
Cypher (0.T.P.)
TO HONG KONG ( Sir A. Grantham)
Sent 19th May, 1950
11.30 hrs.
32
H 452
94003/4 pl. ab.U
JEA
19/8chance
No. 772 Confidential
Following from Tamsui addressed to Foreign Office No. 151 of 17th May, repeated for information to Singapore (and for Allen) Hong Kong No. 87 and Peking. Begins.
My telegram No. 149.
ww
Governor stated unofficially that Nationalist authorities would require the return of the Nationalist soldiers on board the ETHEL MOLLER.
2. If these soldiers do in fact include persons whose return is important to the Nationalists, would it not be possible to delay their return as a bargaining counter for release of some or all remaining British ships, and their
crews.
3. As the soldiers were illegally sailing this British ship on the High Sea, their detention for investigation could no doubt be legally justified.
4. The Governor has promised to press once more for early information from Ministry of National Defence regarding the detained British ships and their crews. Ends.
Circulated to:-
Secretary of State Mr.Webber
Sir T. Lloyd
Mr. T.F. Cook Sir C. Jeffries
Sir H. Poynton Mr. Gorell Barnes Mr. Eastwood
Mr. A.R. Thomas
Mr. Galsworthy
Mr Bennett
Brig. Johnson Colonial Attache Mr.Bigg
Accounts Branch Mr. Davies
Mr. Paskin
Mr. Sidebotham
Mr. Hall Mr. Anderson
My tho