CO537-6314 — Page 91

or ex-soldiers to Formosa before we know whether

the Chinese Government will have them. We

are similarly against any experimental shipment

of soldiers to North China before the suggested

approach to Chinese Government has been made.

5. As regards those who are not in fact

soldiers and who can be considered as having

civilian status and as being no more than

distressed Chinese subjects, these we

consider constitute a separate problem altogether

and they should be separated out from the soldiers.

This would facilitate their treatment as

civilians and in this capacity, i.e., as

civilians or refugees we consider there would

be no objection to their going to Formosa

through the medium of the Tung Wah Hospital

if they agree and if this can be arranged.

6. It would, however, be essential to

separate the two categories as soon as possible

so that the approach by Peking can be made with

respect to the soldiers only. Please inform

Peking urgently of the numbers of soldiers

concerned so that H.M. Charge d'Affairs can

make the necessary approach (see Peking telegram

No. 368 paragraph 3 repeated as my telegram No. 581).

(24)

7. As regards paragraph 5 above please see Tamsui's despatch

No. 29 of 24th February copied to you. In view of

possible difficulty in Formosa please keep consul

Tamsui advised of any arrangements you intend

to make regarding non-soldiers.

Secer

[ Coppies wat to Foreign three br. exetition to Petion and

a Tamqui).

(14)