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China of the landing of British military forces at Shanghai; that the
American proposal for the neutralisation of Shanghai was a new factor;
and that it was accordingly proposed to land the troops at Hong Kong.
In view of the opinions expressed by Sir Miles Lampson, the
naval Commander-in-Chief and Consul General, Shunghi, and the milit»ry
information given by the Chief of the Imperial General Stuff, the
Cabinet were not prepared to take the responsibility of storing the
Indian Mixed Brigade t Hong Kong.
After a discussion of the question in its military, diploma-
tic and political aspects from 12 noon to 1.30 p.m., and from 3 to 5
p.m., the Cabinet agreed
a) That their general policy should be based on the following consi-
derations:-
"Our troops were sent to the Far East to safeguard British
That was and is
life in China and particularly at Shanghai.
the only policy of His Majesty's Government.
The question of
the time at which, and the manner and numbers in which the troops should be landed at Shanghai must obviously depend upon
the local situation and the advice we receive fror our repre-
sentatives on the spot. If they consider that the emergency
requires immediate disembarkation at Shanghai we shall act
accordingly. If not, the leading Brigade will be held in
readiness at Hong Kong, while the rest of the force is
approaching. There can of course be no question of entering into any arrangement with Mr. Chen or anyone else in connexion with the movement of troops despatched to protect British
life and property."
(b) That the Secretary of State for Foreign Aff: irs should send a
telegram to Sir miles Lampson and the Consul-General, Shanghi,
informing them that the following instructions were being sent
to the naval Commander-in-Chief:-
You are authorised to draw on the troops arriving and approaching if and as you think necessary for the defence of
British life at Shanghai. We cannot judge the local sitution
from here. If however there is no immedi te denger locally