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Nothing to be Written in this Margin.
Minutes.
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Berne Telègram No. 1353 (18/4/42)
Subject: Safeguarding of British
commercial and other interests in Shanghai.
P/W Dept. are not in a position to advise on these questions. It seems evident that unemployment and the need for relief will greatly increase as time goes on, and therefore the more BSS it is possible to get away the better.
The Corporations themselves should be the best judges of their own interests, and if, as appears, they think that a skeleton staffs should be left behind I suppose we ought to agree. As the Residents' Association ask for an expression of H.M.G's opinion, perhaps the views of the D.0.T.- should be sought.
The question of missionaries remaining behind can be referred to the Conference of Missionary Societies.
See also minutes on Berne Tel. No. 1274 herei
F.E. Dept.
8. 7. S. 7.
21/4/42.
In the first telegram, Berne No. 1274, we are asked whether H. M. Government wish British subjects to evacuate and abandon their considerable commercial and financial interests in Shanghai, and whether firms with branches in China, in particular Jardine's, B. & S., A.P.C., Reuters, I.C.I. and B.A.T. and the Banks recommend evacuation and authorise it. In the second telegram, Berne No. 1353, a similar request for guidance is made by the British Residents' Association at Shanghai, who ask whether H.M. Government consider that responsible representa- tives of firms should remain on the spot to safeguard British economic interests and capital and suggests reference to the China Association for advice; some firms wish reduced staffs to
remain /
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