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(11) The Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee, after a careful
examination, have reported (in Paper C.P.138(27)) that they
cannot guarantee that communication with Hankow can be kept
open during the period of low water on the river (December
to March 26th).
(iii) The Naval Commander-in-Chief has reported (Telegram
No.1015) in favour of protecting the bulk of British
property outside the Concession, which is more than ten times
as valuable as that within the Concession. This involves a
much larger force and a greater Commitment, and is opposed
by the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee on military grounds.
The Commander-in-Chief's telegram No.1019, of April 28th,
though sent to the British Minister at Peking to advocate the
re-occupation of the Concession, was quoted as setting forth
some of the risks of the operation :-
"Every day we wait defences of Yangtse are being
improved and added to. It is clearly another case of
the Dardanelles, and if we do not strike at once our
difficulties are going to be intensified.
I know it is a gamble, but no gamble has ever been won
by shilly-shallying, etc."
(iv) The United States Government is definitely
unwilling to participate in a second Note to the Nationalist
Government or in sanctions. A second Note, signed by only
four Powers, would accentuate the abstention of the United
States
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