By any diplomatic measure, the ultimatum Peking issued to London early last week was an unacceptable affront to sovereignty and protocol. It was both peremptory and insulting, addressing itself to "the British government's utterly hideous and ferocious features of fascist imperialism." Britain's man in Peking, Charge d'Affaires Donald Hopson, 52, a cool, much-decorated World War II commando offi cer, simply refused to send it to London. Peking, of course, broadcast the texts anyway. It demanded the release of 53 imprisoned Hong Kong Communists within 48 hours and the re opening of...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
