SECRET.
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(vii) · The recent coal shortage affected local shipping considerably, even the various ferry services having to curtail their traffic in some degree. The position now is somewhat easier but stocks are still very low.
fr
11. VISIT OF H.M.S. "BERLUDA TO TSINGTAO.
T
An interesting report, dated 10th October, has just been received from the Commanding Officer of ..S. ER UDA" which paid a visit to TSINGTAO fron September 20th to October 8th inclusive. During this time strong liaison and very good friendship were established with senior U.3. Navy and Army officers ashore, and excellent relations between the officers of "BERMUDA" and those of U.S. ships and the U.S. Arny resulted.
17
Very fine work on behalf of the R.A.”
T. T .I. was done by Colonel WYNBECK of the U.S. Arly (in charge ashore) and especially his assistants Captain KRICK and Lieut. KED. L who worked permanently in TSIPWA 0. Co-operatingwit and assisting the U.S. Army officers was a very great pleasure, and "BERID.. 'sí Commanding Officer has recommended that they should eventually be officially thanked for their good and inmartial work with the 1,500 R..P.7.1. at, or in the vicinity of, TSICAO, the najority of whom were British subjects,
The Swiss, Danish and French Consuls were most helpful in every way. In the past few years they have done a great deal towards helping the internees, - especially Mr. ECCER, the Swiss Consul, whose efforts have been untiring. He often bluffed his way past the Japanese guards at N Internment camp to bring the interness cheering news, medical conforts and papers. This was done at great personal risk and disconfort to himself.
First-rate liaison was established between the local Chinese authorities and the Mite ansign, especially with the Mayor of TSICT.0, the local Flag Officer and the Ch mber of Commerce. Then the ship event 11y left the port, it was with many requests from these authorities that she should return or ask for another British ship to visit TSICA.0 at an early date. This would undoubtedly be an excellent move in the re-establishrie nt of rood relations and confidence in North CHINA.
No trouble at all was experienced with the
Japanese authorities at TSITAO.
12.
SPECIIFFLEDIX.
I.
་ ན་
SUILRY OF TIM POLITIC. L SITU WION IN CHINA.
ONIT NG COTUIT.
DCE
The general fear in CHIK & few days ago that there might be another disastrous civil war, which would probably have been the most serious since CHING KAI-SHEK's war against the VEN ESI-SHN and FLiNG YU-ASIANG coalition government in PAKING in 1930, plus CEU CIFG-Comunist relations reaching breaking point, has now been somewhat relieved by reports of a resumtion of peace talks. Whether this alleged resumption is CHUNGKING propaganda to gain time and permit more Central Government troops (at present being lifted by ATRIC ships) to reach STUC and SOUTHERN IEW TRIA, or whether there is a genuine desire on both sides to avoid an open split, the next fortnight will show.
If the Comunist Supree Commander, General IZO TSE-TUG had failed to accomplish anything with the KUOMI MANG leaders after a stay in CHUCKIG of over three weeks, (This wes immediately after the Japanese d feat) the present renewed Ciscussion for peace between 11 KUO I BIG and YM.N representati- ves does not promise to being the differences of the two cars any