TNAG-0111-FCO40-147-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 44

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Mr. Maw said that they had already been advised on this

by Reuters and that in regard to Press enquiries they

proposed to play it cool and simply say that HMG are doing

their best to seek Mr. Grey's release.

7. Lord Shepherd said he was glad to hear of this.

Clearly the recent outcry in the British press and else-

where had embarrassed the Chinese. While he thought they might

be susceptible to world opinion, his experience of them was

that they would not now be in a hurry to be more flexible

for fear of loss of face. It was possible that by playing

down the matter, the Chinese might, after a reasonable

time, agree (if they are so disposed) to release Mr. Grey.

But this of course was only speculation.

8. Mr. Maw then pressed Lord Shepherd about the prospects

of HMG agreeing to the release of the 11 journalists if this

was the price the Chinese wanted us to pay for Mr. Grey's

release. Lord Shepherd said that until we knew for certain

the actual price the Chinese wanted this was, of course,

hypothetical. But obviously the premature release of the

journalists in these circumstances would pose serious

problems. To bow to the Chinese demands could have dire

consequences in respect of the security of the colony since

the bending of the law in submission to Chinese pressures

would be seen by many as a step towards the Macao type

of situation to which he had referred earlier. Also, if

the Chinese use of Mr. Grey as a hostage proved successful

it could put the safety of other British subjects in China

land

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