SECRET
19
CABINET 31(27)
163
Extract from Conclusions of a Meeting held at 10 Downing Street, on Wednesday 11th May, 1927, at 11.30.a.m
CHINA
(Previous Reference: Cabinet 30 (27) Con- clusión 1.
1. The Cabinet had before them the Fifth
Report of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on the subjec
of Sanctions (Paper C.P.141(27)).
The Chief of the Naval Staff answered questions
in regard to the draft Report. In reply to the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Beatty
agreed that there would be no objection, if the
Cabinet so desired, to the insertion of words in the
instructions to the Naval Commander-in-Chief to make
it clear that punitive action taken in regard to
outrages which endangered Eritish property, but not
British lives, should only be taken after reference
to, and sanction by His Majesty's Government.
emphasised, however, the importance of not
fettering more than was absolutely necessary the
discretion of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, who had
up to now shown the greatest circumspection.
He
After the withdrawal of the Chiefs of Staff the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed the
Cabinet that, with a view to following up the
favourable attitude of the new Japanese Foreign
viniste: