[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
221
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[37381]
No. 1.
C.O. 42178
[October 27.]
READ SECTION 1. 17 NOV 08
Sir,
War Office to Foreign Office.--(Received October 27.)
War Office, October 26, 1908.
I AM commanded by the Army Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 16th instant, and, in reply, to inclose a statement, from which it will be seen that the strength of the British troops in North China on the 1st September last, exclusive of the Legation guard at Peking, was as follows:-
British troops Indian
Total
Officers.
Other ranks,
38 10
799
831
48
1,680
I am to add that the Secretary of State for War concurs in Sir Edward Grey's proposal to inform M. Pichon that His Majesty's Government do not consider that the time has yet arrived when the general outlook in China makes it desirable to take steps for their immediate withdrawal.
I am, &c.
[1982 dd-1]
(Signed)
E. W. D. WARD,