OUTWARD TELEGRAM.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
Cypher (0.T.P.)
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
Sent 26th April, 1949.
IMPORTANT
14.30 hrs.
1.
No.415
TOP SECRET
Following from Nanking to Foreign Office No.504 of 25th April repeated for information to you as No.113. Begins.
Hong Kong telegram No.370(sic) to Secretary of State.
I should be reluctant to see the attack on AMETHYST used as a pretext or occasion for closing down the Communist controlled Press Agency and newspaper in Hong Kong. AMETHYST and her crew are at present at the mercy of the Communis ts without whose agreement and permission they cannot be extricated and brought to a place of safety. We should if possible avoid any action likely to diminish the chance of arranging a safe passage out.
2.
From the wider point of view of His Majesty's Government's relations with the Chinese Communists, it is too early yet to see the extent to which the attack on AMETHYST and its consequences may have affected the future. Until the situation is clearer, it would also, from thie point of view be preferable to avoid any action likely to exacerbate relations.
Ends.
Distributed to:
R. 453
Secretary of State
Sir T. Lloyd
Mr. Rees-Williams
Sir 0. Jeffries
Mr. Poynton
Mr.
Webber
Mr. Holding
MT.
Mr.
MI
MT.
Paskin
Sidebotham
W.I.J. Wallace
Galsworthy
Mr. Seel
Mr. Trafford Smith
Mr. Morgan
Sir M. Logan
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