The report of Donald Hopson's talk with Lo Kusi-po unfortunately
suggests that we are no nearer to any solution to the problems of the
bank staff or indeed anyone elso. without going into details about the
latest exchange, we have warned the bank not to expect progress on
ŝelf's exit visa in the immediate future.
5.
I am copying this letter to Anthony Elliott in "ong Kong.
!
P. Cradock Esq., C.N.G....
PRKING.
пе
(J. B. Denson)
__CONFIDENTAL
BENCIE KELMA
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry Fes 14
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret
Confidential
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Condence
66.
DRAFT LETTER
Typy 1 +
To:
From
P. Cradock, C.M.G. PEKING.
J.B. Dengon
Telephone No. & Ba,
Department
Copy to:
T.A.K. Elliott,
Hong Kong.
Political Adviser
Withour going
nito Derml's/
peteret me į
Thank you for your letter PEK/1 of
26 February 15/which you reported the impressions
member of the
of a French Embassy official who recently
visited Shanghai.
ghai.
2. We have informed the banks of the general
people
situatigh of their on without giving the
hon wi
source/of our information.
3. When we contested the Chartered Bank
when we spate to them
they confirmed that they had now obtained Mr.
Cummings' passport and so were in a position
tó apply formally for a visa for him. They
have decided, however, that for the time being
no application will be put in. They will
inform us when they contemplate further action. Lafor The repor
The report of Bosind Hipsme talk with Your fatest telegrama suggest that
we Lo Vudetto unfortunakin sugu but wer
are no dearer) any solution to the problems of
rerLie
Anyone alsu
the bank staff or indeed of the Mission,
have warned the bank that we de not) expect
progress on
immediate future.
lavors exerlange 5.
Self's exit visa in the
5. I am copying this letter to Anthony
Elliott in Hong Kong.
Me
"=
|
May
Gu
66
F2674
COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
WI ------
Mr. Denso)
"}}
Please see Mr. Cradock's
1. MAR
Ait เป
FCB/4
ber of
26 February to you about the morale of the staff of the banks in
Shanghai. I have contacted the banks as you requested and attach a short
draft reply from you to Mr. Cradock.
Schadland
(E.J. Sharland) 8 March, 1968
LAST
REF.
NEXT
KEF.
64 66
Ed (1426)
COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
5 Copy to boundar
(PEK/1)
+) Lati
Dear Joher,
CONFIDENTIAL
4/3
The Sharians Consular Department
·Show see. You mony atto
office of the British in to Speak
Chargé d'Affaires,
PEKING,
26 February, 1968.
malw
Perma to th Brinks-
A member of the French Embassy visited Shanghai recently and on his
return provided our first news for some time of the situation in the
British Bank community there.
2. He reported that they are generally quite confortable: meat is short
and heating in foreigners' buildings is limited to twelve hours a day,
but otherwise they have few material difficulties. Their spirits,
however, are not high and the wives in particular are tense and more
than a little hysterical. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank situation, in
which there have been two managers since last June sharing a house and
even an office desk, seems to be particularly unhappy.
3.
None of this is surprising. Their circumstances are distinctly worse
than our own. Shanghai, which is lese pleasant than Peking in the first
place, is still in a fair state of ferment; the foreign community is
minute and the atmosphere much more oppressive; and because we have no
confidential channel of communication with them they have very little
idea of developments. It makes it all the more urgent that we should
find a solution to their problema,
I am copying this letter to Anthony Elliott in Hong Kong.
Yours wer
livey
(P. CRADOCK)
J. B. Denson, Esq., O.B.E.,
Far Eastern Department.
LASI
ΓΕΡ
CONFIDENTIAL
REAL
646 (+65)
(FC 5/4)
CONFIDENTIAL
لا لا
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تن
A. C. 26/2
вз
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.V.1.
26 February, 1968.
Thank you for your letter of 12 February about the problems of the
British Banks in Shanghai.
2.
We have confirmed that the Banks are still planning on different lines,
the Chartered Bank intending to continue in business in Shanghai and the
Hongkong Bank considering the closure of their office there when
conditions permit. Both Banks have agreed to keep in close touch with
us, and with each other. Each is already aware of the other'■ position.
3. The Hongkong Bank are at present undecided about their ultimate
position on closure. Their first concern is to get Self out of China,
and they would then review the situation. Their London office are
enquiring from Head Office in Hong Kong whether they still want
Robertson to go to Shanghai. Until we hear from them again, please do
not press further for a visa for Robertson.
The Chartered Bank remain anxious to obtain a visa for Cummings. They
have obtained application forms from the Chinese Office here, which
Cummings has now completed. As soon as his passport arrives from
Amritsar the application will be formally submitted. We have explained
to them that even when the Chinese intend to issue visas there can be
considerable delay, so they will not necessarily expect any action from
us to back them up until a month or more after they have submitted the
application. They will let us know as soon as they have done so.
5. There is thus no immediate question of pressing for Cummings' visa
while ignoring Robertson's. I appreciate that such action could raise
Chinese suspicions about the Hongkong Bank's long-term intentions, but
consider it more likely that they would regard the lack of thrust behind
Robertson's appli- cation as resulting from their failure to grant an
exit visa for Self. I should be grateful, however, for your estimate of
how serious would be the risk of adverse Chinese reactions should we
press for an entry visa for Cummings while ignoring that for Robertson,
and whether these would, in any oiroum- stances, be sufficient to make
it necessary to consider declining to assist the Chartered Bank in
Cummings' case.
6. I am sending a copy of this letter to Anthony Elliott in Hong Jong.
P. Cradock, Esq., C.M.G.,
Peking.
(J. B. Denson)
CONFIDENTIAL
p.a.
Ed (1636)
¡
Flag A
621
I
Kr. Denson
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference.....
FC5/4.0 62.
Please see Mr. Cradock's letter of
12 February.
2.
I have discussed their positions with the two Banks. The Chartered Bank
are anxious to obtain an entry visa for Cummings, but the Hongkong Bank
(whose Head Office is, of course, in Hongkong) are undecided about their
position. Mr. Stewart, to whom I spoke, confirmed that they wish to
treat the two questions of Self's exit visa and the Bank's closure
separately, but was uncertain that closure was now the ultimate aim. He
will contact his Head Office and let us know. Meanwhile we should not
press for Robertson's entry visa.
3. I attach a draft letter explaining the position to Peking, and
seeking their estimation of the danger of Chinese hostility towards the
Hongkong Bank should we press for an entry visa for Cummings while
allowing Robertson's applica- tion to remain dormant.
F Mhailand
(E. J. Sharland) 23 February, 1968
2012
CONFIDENTIAL
Pa
Enter
CONFIDENTIAL
Please speak
62
49.
bean Johar,
Office of the British Charge
d'Affaires,
No 31
Peking.
► Lb 1968
TOP
Feb14
бо
Mir Sharland
12 February, 1968. We gestu.
Thank you for your letter FC 5/4 of 23 January about the Chartered
Bank's plans for replacing David Johnston in Shanghai
2. We are slightly concerned at the fact that the two British banks
operating in Shanghai are planning on entirely different lines, i.e.
that the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank have stated their intention of
closing down their Shanghai branch as soon as the moment seems ripe
(your telegram No. 1003 of 22 November), while the Chartered Bank
according to your letter wish to continue in business there. There are
may mbalasanit be further difficult negotiations ahead before we obtain
the release (and, where appropriate, the replacement) of the bank
personnel now in Shanghai, and it would strengthen our arm and theirs if
they were able to present a common policy and a united front. Both banks
no doubt have good reasons for their decisions. But I think it essential
for us to make sure that at least each bank is aware of the other's
decision and that they keep in close touch about subsequent developments
with each other as well as with H.M.G.
3. One example of the kind of situation where this would help is that we
may in due course have to press for an entry visa for Cummings of the
Chartered Bank to replace Johnston. If so, we ought preferably to have
decided with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank whether or not we should
press simultaneously for an entry visa for Robertson, whose application
for a visa to relieve Crozier has been outstanding since December, 1966.
To agitate about Cumminge while making no mention of Robertson might
conceivably raise suspicions in the minds of the Chinese about the Hong
Kong and Shanghai Bank's intentions.
I am sending a copy of this letter, with one of yours, to Anthony
Elliott in Hong Kong.
J. B. Denson, Esq., 0.B.E.
Far Eastern Department,
Foreign Office,
London 5.W.1.
Yours wer
Aven
(P. Cradock)
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
Far Eastern Department,
Foreign Office, S.W.1.
With the compliments of
THE OFFICE OF
THE BRITISH CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES
The Sharlen ідейну
p:༤. op.c
PEKING
24 January, 1968
ساده
e. Wil
(This Note was delivered to MFA on
the day after Mr. Cradock's interview with Consular Dept., :. e. 25
January
of.).
RECEIVED IN
*VES No 31
F28/4
The office of the British Chargé d'Affaires present
their compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and
have the honour to refer to the case of Mr. D. N. H. 8elf,
Manager of the Shanghai branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Kr. Self's application for a visa
to leave China, submitted on the 17th of May, 1967, and
his wife's similar application, which ma last submitted
on the 21st of August, 1967, have not yet been granted,
despite the fact that Kr, 8elf's successor arrived in
Shanghai in June,
Er. Higuch, the Deputy Director of the West European
Department of the Ministry, said at a meeting with the
British Chargé d'Affaires on the 27th of November, 1967,
that he would enquire about the case of Ir, and Mira, Belf.
The Office would be grateful to know if the Hinistry are
yet able to inform them of the situation with regard to
Mr. and Mrs. Self'e sxit visas.
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires avail
themselves of this apportmity to renew to Consular Departaent
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic
of China the assurance of their highest consideration.
The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires,
PRKINO.
24 January, 1968.
(FC 5/4)
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
23 January, 1968.
Go
CHARTERED BANK: SHANGHAI
Thank you for your letter PEK/1 of ↳ January about the difficulties
being encountered by the Chartered Bank over obtaining an entry visa for
a replacement for David Johnston.
have informed the Bank of your action and explained that we are delaying
the issue of visas to staff of the Bank of China who are due to come to
London. We also warned them that, even if Cummings manages to take over
in Shanghai, there is no guarantee that the Chinese would allow Johnston
to leave. The Bank's view is that, since they wish to continue in
business in Shanghai, they have no option but to try to proceed with the
change-over as planned. They will accordingly apply for an entry visa
for Cunnings in London if your démarche produces no result in Peking or
Indía, If the visa is granted they will apply for an exit visa for David
Johnston, to be effective a few days after Cummings' arrival in
Shanghai. will keep you informed of any developments.
We
P. Cradock, Esq., C.M.G.,
PERING.
(J. B. Denson) Far Eastern Department
CUAFIDENTIAL
234,
Desp. in Regy 2311/0
Paffey,
WOOL SUNR
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MAPZIN
CONFIDENTIAL
60
Registry TO.
3 5/4
DRAFT
Letter
Type 1+
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret
Secret.
P. Cradock Esq., C.M.G., Peking.
From
J. B. Denson
Telephone No. & Ext.
Con l'ential EJS
Restricted.
19/1
Unclassifed.
VACY MARKING
Flag A
THE 724.
Department
F.E.
CHARTERED BANK: SHANGHAI
Thank you for your letter FEE/1 of 4
Januar: about the difficulties being encountered
by the Chartered Bank over obtaining an entry
visa for a replacement for David Johnston.
2.
mformið
We have not
the Bank kapa-end
your actioptin-suspert of their offert
store bike we explained that we are delay-
ing the issue of visas to staff of the Bank of
come to /
China * -** due to take
Lond. sared them that, even 1o
بہت
Cummings manges to take over in Shanghai, there
is no guarantee that the Chinese would allow
Mr. Johnston to leave. The Bank's view is that,
since they wish to continue in business in
Shanghai, they have no option but to try to
procee
1
accord Hagley
will apply
the change-over as planned. They
ar entry visa for
Cummings
result
:.produces no
London if your
in Peking or Indie,
The visa is granted tray wit
for an
exit visa for David Johnston, to be effective
a fer days after Cummings' arrival in Shanghr
We wa
nfort
any develop munG
wher
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ནནྡ
Ed (1620)
Flag A
59
Kr. Dersoní
Reference...
Fch 42
2.
CHARTERED BANK: SHANGHAI
Please see Mr. Cradock's letter of 4 January.
I have spoken to Mr. Arthur of the Chartered Bank and attach a
self-explanatory reply from you to Mr. Cradock.
Esthailand
८
(E. J. Sharland 19 January, 1968
Draft Yo issue.
вс
fun
227;
PEK/
Lecar Johor,
RESTRICTED
Enter.
Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires,
PEKING.
4 January, #5GBIVED IN
ARCHIVES N➜.31
1 8 JAN 1953
FC6/4
I enclose a copy of a letter we have received from David Johnston, the
Chartered Bank Manager in Shanghai, about his successor's difficulties
in obtaining an entry visa. We have passed his request on to the Foreign
Ministry in a Note, but not surprisingly have not yet: received a reply.
59
2. There seems nothing more to be done at the moment: it is most
unlikely that the Chinese will react to this or to the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Bank's applications for visas until our quarrel with them about
diplomatic exit visas is resolved. If you are not already in touch with
the Chartered Bank in London, you might like to consider doing-ee-and
warning them about the difficulties that may arise over the proposed
change-over.
neem
Yam
lincy
J. B. Denson, Esq., 0.B.E.,
Far Eastern Department.
(P. CRADOCK)
Mr. Sharland
This crossed 4.0. relegiam
No. 38 about visas for the
Bank of China. Please
Quran @
bo
24
Speaks to
me
Chartered
Bank.
o dragy reply.
المعاملات
1
Fes/u.w(59)
COPY
No. 203
13th December, 1967.
Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires,
5, Kuang Hua Lu,
Peking.
Dear Sire,
We wish to advise you that it has been arranged for Mr. D. C. Johnston
to be relieved of his duties as manager of The Chartered Bank, Shanghai
about July next year. His relier, Mr. R. E. Cannings is at present in
Amritsar and applied on 6th October to the Chinese Legation in Delhi
through our New Delhi office for entry visas for himself and Mrs.
Cannings. Our New Delhi office telephoned the Legation on 23rd October,
when they were informed that they were unable to give any indication
when they could expect to get the application forms. Enquiries have been
made weekly since then, but our New Delhi office have merely been told
that the matter has been referred to Peking.
It is possible that by now our New Delhi office will have received the
application forms. However we should be most grateful if you would
kindly contact the Chinese Foreign Office at your discretion and
endeavour to expedite the issue of the application forms. Alternatively,
if the forms can be obtained in Peking, they could be forwarded by us to
our Amritsar office direct.
Yours faithfully,
Manager.
J. Murray, Esq., C.M.G., Far Eastern Department.
To Shutart
ہے؟
With the compliments of
THE OFFICE OF
THE BRITISH CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES
(T. Peters)
PEKING
30 November, 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Res14
office of the British
Charge d'Affaires,
PEKING.
30 November, 1967
I am sorry about the muddle over the enclosure to my letter of 7`October
about the Hong Kong Bank which you reported in your letter of 15
November to me. Since our whole office was in Ray Whitney's flat at the
time and my own share of it was a corner of a sofa, you will understand
how this came about.
I
am sure that the Foreign Office will have 1
returned the enclosure to you by now.
58
RECEIVED IN BARCHIVES No.31
1 DEC 1967
FFC5/4
2. In the meantime you will have seen from Foreign Office telegram No.
1027 of 27 November, to us that the Hong Kong Bank will be reconsider-
ing their plans for closing the Shanghai office just at present.
am sending a copy of this letter to Murray in Far Eastern Department.
We have.
A. Q.
11/12 FZ25/453
I
(T. Peters)
Elliott, Esq., nial Secretariat,
g Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL
F25/4.
CYPHER/CAT A
N12=-Folios (54)-(57)
TRANS. TO FE24/4 22)
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELA
1027 27 November 1967
(FED)
53
t
TOP COPY
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TEL NO 1927 OF 27 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION
TO HONG KONG,
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 267 : HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK.
DE LA MARE SAW STEWART, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LONDON OFFICE THIS
MORNING AND PUT THE POINTS IN PARAGRAPH 1 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER
REFERENCE. STEWART ACCEPTED THEM AND INDICATED THAT, IN PRESENT
CIRCUMSTANCES, THEIR CONCERN FOR SELF'S WELFARE TOOK PRIORITY OVER THE
QUESTION OF CLOSURE. HE WOULD THEREFORE TELEGRAPH
TO HONG KONG RECOMMENDING THAT THE PROPOSED LETTER TO THE CHINESE
SHOULD NOT BE SENT. WE AGREED THAT THE SITUATION COULD BE REVIEWED
IN THE LIGHT OF ANY IMPROVEMENT IN SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS WHICH
MIGHT TAKE PLACE OVER THE COMING MONTHS.
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