TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 168

episode in its wider historical context.

I must emphasise that I am not at all happy with these texts. To me they are second or third best. But I am making a serious effort to

meet your worries, groundless though I feel them to be. I am not at

this point making a definite offer. What I should like to regard this as is an exploration, to try to establish that language does matter and that there may be an additional option, not disclosed at our meeting, distinct from the three harsh choices you seemed imposing, namely excision of two chapters; long and uncertain delay; or publication in the face of official condemnation.

The questions therefore are:

First, if I were to submit a text revised along these lines, or something very similar, would you be prepared to withdraw your objections?

Second, if there are still sentences, or even passages, you find unacceptable, would you please indicate them. One of the more discouraging features of our discussion on 2 July was the demand for removal of whole chapters, large sections of which, like the first four pages of the penultimate chapter, could by no stretch of the imagination be described as sensitive.

Again, I should be most grateful for an early reply. I am at present committed to deliver the text to the publisher in September, so as to allow publication next spring; and until I am sure what the options are I am in no position to make a decision.

I am sending a copy of this letter and enclosure to David

Gillmore.

Yours wer

livey