234
6.
Our first Report on this subject (C.I.D.
Faper 617-B) contained a list of the Treaty Ports in
49
China, which number in all. The only Ports,
however, to which attention need be drawn at the
present time are the following, at which British
Concessions exist:- Amoy, Canton, Chinkiang, Hankow
Kiukiang, Shanghai, Tientsin.
The Smaller Concession Ports.
Leaving the important question of Shanghai
to be dealt with later in this Report, we wish to
point out that the protection of the smaller Concessions must, as indicated in our first Report (C.I.D. Paper 617-B) devolvo upon the Naval Forces. The Navy,
however, cannot as & general rule do more than afford protection against mob violence. If it is a question of dealing with organised military forcos evacuation will usually be the only course. Hankow and Kiukiang, as already mentioned, have boon evacuated and are in the occupation of the Chinese Nationalist Forces. Even if, as Eugene Chen appears to wish, these Concessions are returned to their proper owners, we could not recommend any plans based on the assumption that they can be defended against the Nationalist Forces or against anything more than mob violence.
Taking the remainder of the minor Concession Ports mentioned above in order, the situation at each is as follows:
8.
Amoy.
9.
The principal part of the Concession is, we are informed, situated on an island and is easily defensible. We were informed by Captain Lako
that if a company of infantry could be spared from
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Hongkong/