1
4371
$
2
problems herself, and the fact that she has spent several years in trying to do so without any appreciable result is conveniently ignored.
Several of the foreign Powers, however, have withdrawn or reduced their troops in North China, and it must be assumed that they consider the situation such as would justify this step. In the case of Russia the withdrawal has been practically complete, Germany's force has been reduced to some 130 men, and the number of the Japanese has fallen from 1,240 to 505 men.
But all these Powers, as has often been pointed out, have large bodies of soldiers within convenient distance, who could be drawn upon at short notice, while we should be dependent on Hong Kong or India for our nearest supply.
Taking all the circumstances therefore into consideration, I am reluctantly compelled to state that the withdrawal of our troops from North China is not a step which I can conscientiously recommend at present.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
STATEMENT showing strengths of Legation Guards, Peking, on dates mentioned.
Austro-
American.
Hungarian.
Belgian.
British.
French.
German.
Italian.
Japanese. Netherlands..
Russian.
Total.
1st January, 1907
1st April, 1909
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officors.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Ranks.
Officers.
Other Rauks.
Officers.
All Ranks.
Commanding Legation Guard.
J. H. ABBOT ANDERSON, Colonel,
4
127
6
175
1
20
10
261
00
8
240
14 | 807
10
OZZ
12
280
29
2
93
1,820
131
181
21.
271
248
321
230
292
30
CG
5 141
9
172
T
2208
03
6
256
×
240
5
100
ΟΙ
220
8
128
1
29
1,359
146
178
21
265
248
105
230
136
h?
字数
Office of the Officer Commanding British Legation Guard, Peking, April 12, 1909.
(Signed)
372