(2)
47
air reconnaissance of Danc
Island forts which would
be greatly resented. All danger from local causes to foreigners in Canton has been removed for the time
being.
As regards sanctions I think reprisal such as shelling of military objectives, military occupation
or blockade should be taken at the spot immediately
after an outrage has occurred. In the present chaotic state of the country with no central authority
even in the South I fear it is useless to make formal
demands long after the event involving execution of high officials. Culprits disappear, there is no one within our reach capable of producing them for punic- ment, and reprisals taken in another part of China are
worse than useless.
Repeated to Foreign Office No. 27 and Hongkong.