This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Printed for the Committee of Imperial Defence. June 1927.
SECRET.
813-B.
COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
Copy No.
40
2:
SITUATION IN CHINA MAY 3 TO JUNE 30, 1927.
(Previous C.I.D. Papers Nos. 617-B, 677-B, 681-B, 722-B, 727-B, 750-B, 756-B, 759-B, 761-B, 762-B, 764-B, 769-B, 771-B, 784-B, 785-B, 786-B, 787-B, 788-B, 789-B, 790-B, 791-B, 792-B, 793-B, 794-B, 795-B, 796-B, 798-B and 804-B.)
NOTE BY THE SECRETARY.
1. IN C.I.D. Paper No. 796-B the résumé of recommendations and decisions in regard to the situation in China was carried up to the 2nd May, 1927. This paper brings this résumé up to date.
2. The Cabinet met again on Wednesday, the 4th May, and, with regard to the decision taken at their previous meeting to the effect:-
"That further enquiry should be made into the proposals of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff and in Sir Miles Lampson's telegram No. 805* in favour of greater authority being given to the naval forces on the Yangtse to counter-attack with all their power those who fire on ships flying the British Flag, and generally to defend by force and at once attacks on British lives and property
(Cabinet 29 (27), Conclusion (c)—see also paragraph 24 of C.I.D. Paper No. 796–B)
were informed that the Foreign Office had prepared a memorandum which had been circulated to the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee, who had been asked to prepare for consideration draft instructions to the Naval Commander-in-Chief giving effect to these proposals.
The Cabinet agreed :-
"(b.) That, when considering the points referred to them at the previous meeting of the Cabinet, the attention of the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee should be invited to the following points :-
(i.) The importance of keeping quite distinct the two issues referred to them, viz., their own proposal that His Majesty's ships should at once take action against those who tired on vessels flying the British flag, and Sir Miles Lampson's proposal for early reprisals on the spot for hostile action against British interests anywhere in China:
(ii.) Mr. Newton's telegram from Hankow No. 138* of the 1st May, suggesting that British property at Chinkiang should be protected by direct or retaliatory action there, to which the Sub-Committee should give separate attention."
(Cabinet 30) (27), Conclusion 1 (b).)
At this meeting the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs also drew attention to a telegram from the British Ambassador in Tokio (No. 216* of the 3rd May) reporting an interview with the new Japanese Minister of Foreign
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* Not printed.
B
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