(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[25334]
No. 1.
187
[July 5.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
War Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 5.)
War Office, July 3, 1909. I AM commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the brigadier-general commanding the troops in North China has recently brought to the notice of the council the necessity of maintaining a reserve of food supply at Peking for the use of members of the legation staff, and of refugees who might seek shelter with the legation guard in the event of a Chinese rising. There is at present held at Peking three months' reserve of food supplies for the legation guard, including the Indian and Chinese followers attached to it, who number in all about 325.
Brigadier-General Waters estimates the total number of the legation staff and refugees who would require rationing in time of disturbance at about 300.
Thus, if the reserve supply for the legation guard and followers was raised from a three months' to a six months' basis, there would approximately be sufficient food in store to feed the legation guard and followers as well as members of the legation staff and refugees for three months.
It is calculated that the initial cost of providing Peking with this additional three months' reserve of supplies would amount to 900/.; but, owing to the fact that the number of troops in Peking is not sufficient to cause a sufficiently rapid turnover in a six months' supply, there would be great difficulty in preventing some loss from deterioration in the case of some of the stores.
The council are in agreement with Brigadier-General Waters that it is very necessary, in case of sudden emergency, that he should be provided with stores sufficient to feed for three months the members of the legation staff and such refugees as might reasonably expect the protection of the British garrison, and they are willing to place in Peking the additional supplies required for this purpose. They consider, however, that neither the possible loss due to deterioration while in reserve, nor the cost of the rations, should it be necessary to issue them to members of the legation
funds. staff or to refugees, can fairly be made a charge against army
The Army Council would be glad if the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would favour them with his opinion as to the advisability of providing this additional reserve of supplies in Peking, and I am to inform you that, should Sir Edward Grey consider such a course necessary, the council would undertake to place the stores in Peking on the understanding that the Foreign Office would hear the cost of any loss, due to deterioration, and of rations when issued to the legation staff and refugees in case of emergency.
I have, &c.
R. H. BRADE.
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