2
a matter of very great difficulty if attacked by them seriously, and, if further reductions in Legation guards take place, it would then be a matter for consideration, from a military as distinct from a political point of view, whether the remaining Legation guards should not be withdrawn altogether.
6. At the same time there is no doubt that the presence of even a small number of foreign troops in Peking has a very subduing effect."
It appears that we are limited by Treaty to a maximum of 250 troops in Peking, and, indeed, there is no room for any more.
From a military point of view, Tien-tsin is of far greater importance than Peking, and it would be our principal base, and we maintain large quantities of supplies and ammunition there.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. H. H. WATERS, Brigadier-General,
Commanding the Troops in North China.
Netherlands.
Russian.
Total.
*Nam
'S
ney
Of all Ranks
and
Nationalities
at each
Station.
I
2
100
1,791
1
F
1,615
*əsənedar
BY GO
*
8 227
15
293
9 203
13
304
8 244
13 202
10208
8
621
By
*sago
Sqney Dio
*se po
Buy 10
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
STATEMENT showing Strength and Distribution of Foreign Troops in Peking, North China, 1908.
American.
Austrian.
Belgian.
Month.
British.
French.
German.
Italian,
Officers.
Other Ranks.
*
*pu
pur
SUN
*S X @ {}
**
sque tout)
Buy
*Se
*
..
#
FOZ
Z
241
5
126
6
172
1
12
J
0
IF!
172
1
12
May
..
December
94