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2.18
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277
intention of using the visits as part of their propaganda
barrage. The Governor said that Hong Kong's prison rules
only allowed visits on the application of the prisoners them-
selves, that clothing could only be left for a prisoner on
release and that extra food for prisoners could not be allowed
(Hong Kong telegram No. 1908). When these points were put to
the Chinese in Peking on 31 December they said that the reply
was uncatisfactory. In particular, they said they could not
agree that applications for visits must come from the prisoners
themselves. They added that, if their demands were met, "they
might consider allowing the British Office to send personnol
to visit Mr. Grey" (Peking telegram No. 1).
6. On 28 January the Chinese made a further approach and
said in effect that, if official visits by N.C.N.A. were allowed
to N.C.N.A. and other "patriotic journalista", they could
"consider arrangements for an official British visit to Mr.
Groy" (Peking telogram No. 34). Sir Donald Hopson took this
to mean that a visit to Mr. Grey would in the event be arranged,
although this was by no means certain since the Chinese could
have reverted to their third demand (visits to other "patriotic"
prisoners) before allowing access to him. The Governor agreed
to allow visits to the N.C.N.A. journalists but not to the
others (Hong Kong telegram No. 132);' the N.C.N.A. did not take
up the suggestion about how such visits might be made and the
matter was dropped.
7. The Governor (whom we asked to reconsider the matter) has
now put forward suggestions which go some way towards meeting
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