169
complete freedom of action to use aircraft as and when he
de ened necessary for the defence of Shanghai:
(e)
That the Secretary of State for War should be authorised
to concert with the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs the reply to a telegram understood to
have been received from the General Officer Commanding Shanghai
Expeditionary Force (the text of which was not available to
the Cabinet) regarding the protection of the French
Concession at Shanghai:
( f )
That in regard to the use of Tear Gas by the British
Expeditionary Force at Shanghai, the existing orders should
be maintained, but that if Tear Gas was used by the American
forces there the Secretary of State for War should bring the
question up for fresh decision by the Cabinet:
(g) That, in view of recent developments in China, the
Committee of Chiefs of Staff should be asked to give a fresh
appreciation regarding the protection of British interests
in that country in the light of the most recent information.