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they would conclude from the publicity on this and
subsequent occasions that it is not in their interest
continue to detain British subjects. ¤owever, it was
to
recognised at the time that the Chinese were unlikely to
make concessions while appearing to be under pressure, but
that publicity clearly was a useful weapon if used
sparingly and judiciously.
As Mr. Cradock observed in
his telegram No. 103, it would be wrong to conclude from
Chinese sensitivity on this point that all publicity should
be dropped. The time is perhaps approaching when we must
put the needle in the Chinese again. I agree that we
should avoid as far as possible publicity for Mr. Grey's case,
Mr. Cradock pointed out in his telegram No. 98 of 10 February
that publicity for the Johnston case might lead to further
publicity for Gray'e cage. There is of courge a risk that
this sight happen but the fact that Er. Grey was scarcely
sentioned in the extensive press and television coverage
given to the Gordon case recently, auggests that we may be
exaggerating the dangers. Indeed there is something to be
said for focussing on other cases to draw attention away
from Mr. Grey's ossa. Mr. Cradock also suggested that we
sight concentrate on stimulating publicity in the foreign
press rather than the British press. I am afraid that this
is impractical.
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