CO537-6314 — Page 78

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