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NOTHING
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Minutes.
41
that the Chinese would wish to do anything to
deprive themselves of support from Russia,
which is about the only help they are now
getting from outside sources.
However, in order to assist in deciding
on a reply to this telegram I set out below
the advantages and disadvantages, from our
point of view, of having China as an ally in
the European war.
Advantages.
(a) It would prevent understanding with
Germany to our detriment.
(b) It would discourage growth of anti-
British sentiment in unoccupied China, which
might be caused by our attempts to improve
relations with Japan.
(c) It would facilitate recruitment of
a Chinese labour corps.
But the conditions for this are no longer as
favourable as they were in the last war. The
best labour comes from the North which is in
Japanese occupation. It would be difficult to
get the men out except through Indo-China or Burma. The latter would be a particularly
difficult route. And it is certain that Chiang
Kai-shek would demand some substantial quid pro
quo.
Disadvantages.
(a) China can give us no real help against
Germany.
As an ally she would be much more
of a liability than an asset.
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(b)
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