TNAG-0033-FCO40-69-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 54

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4. I REMAIN FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THEREFORE THAT ON THE BASIS OF THE

ACTUAL EVIDENCE WE NOW HAVE, TO RELEASE HSUEH AND EVEN MORE LO

PREMATURELY IS UNLIKELY TO INFLUENCE THE CHINESE AND MAY DO GREY

HARM, APART FROM THE LOCAL DISADVANTAGES OF THIS COURSE WHICH

MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED.

5. I HAVE ALWAYS AGREED THAT RENEWED PUBLICITY, WHILE HOLDING SOME

DANGER OF THE CHINESE REACTING BADLY, SHOULD NEVERTHELESS CONTINUE

TO BE TRIED.

6. I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD ON DETAINEES EXCEPT THAT THE DETENTION

ORDER OF ONLY ONE OF THE REMAINING 40 FORMALLY EXPIRES BEFORE

DECEMBER. THE NEED TO ISSUE FRESH DETENTION ORDERS IS THEREFORE

NOT AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM AND IF ALL GOES WELL IT MAY NOT ARISE

AT ALL.

FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKA

PEKING.)

SIR D. TRENCH

/REPEATED AS REQUESTED/

COPIES SENT TO SIR B. TREND (CABINET OFFICE) AND SECRETARY J.1.C./

FILES

C.O.

F.0.

HD. OF H.K.DEPT.

P.A.D.

P.S. TO LORD SHEPHERD

MR. MASON

MR. ROB

F.E.D.

SIR D. ALLEN

P.U.S.D.

PRIVATE SECRETARY

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