Red China's Revenge

Operating in some of the world's most sensitive nations, Reuters newsmen have mastered the art of being inconspicuous. Anthony Grey, 29, Reuters man in Peking, was no exception. Previously assigned to East Berlin, Grey never did anything to give his hosts offense. Nevertheless, he has been under house arrest for eight months because his country did.

During last July's rioting in Hong Kong, a Chinese newsman was jailed for two years by the British. The Chinese retaliated by not letting Grey out of his house. Since then, he has not been seen. For a while, he was allowed to play chess over the phone with a friend in Peking, but then the phone was cut off. Foreign diplomats try to peer through the gate in the high wall surrounding his house but to no avail.

In response to all British protests, there has only been a numbing Chinese silence. Reuters learned that Grey has the run of the house and his food has improved a bit. Its only word from him was a telegram last Christmas: "I am in sound health in spite of difficulties." Reuters General Manager Gerald Long declares that he is ready to go "anywhere, any time" to effect Grey's release. "But the Chinese don't appear to be interested in talking." True to the best Reuters tradition, if the agency can get Grey out, it will apply at once to put another man in.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.