This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(26238)
No. 1.
[July 28.]
SECTION 2,
War Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 28.)
Sir,
War Office, July 27, 1908. WITH reference to your letter dated the 12th ultimo, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that the contractors at Tientsin have offered to erect buildings for the Transport and Supply Depôt free of cost and to lease them to the War Department on condition that the present rental of the infantry barracks at that place is continued to be paid until December 1913, instead of a rental reduced periodically as provided for in the leases. Under this offer the total cost to the War Department of the new buildings up to the end of 1913 would amount to about 9,000l.
2. This offer is an alternative to one in which it was proposed that the buildings should be erected by the contractors and leased to the War Department up to December 1910, on which date the first term of the existing leases of the infantry barracks ends, for a sum which doubtless includes very nearly the full value of the buildings, the rent to be reduced in subsequent years by periodical amounts. Under this offer the cost to the War Department of the new buildings up to December 1910 would be 6,500l, and up to December 1913 11,600l.
3. The proposal mentioned in paragraph 1 is undoubtedly more favourable to the War Department than that contained in paragraph 2, provided that British troops are retained in Tientsin at least until December 1913, but should they be withdrawn at an earlier date the contrary would be the case.
4. Under these circumstances, before approaching the Treasury for the necessary funds, the Army Council would be glad of an expression of opinion on the part of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as to whether the evacuation of North China is likely to take place before the end of 1913.
I have, &c. (Signed) E. W. D. WARD.
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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(26238]
No. 1..
[July 28.]
SECTION 2,
War Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 28.)
Sir,
War Office, July 27, 1908. WITH reference to your letter dated the 12th ultimo, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that the contractors at Tientsin have offered to erect buildings for the Transport and Supply Depôt free of cost and to lease them to the War Department on condition that the present rental of the infantry barracks at that place is continued to be paid until December 1913, instead of a rental reduced periodically as provided for in the leases. Under this offer the total cost to the War Department of the new buildings up to the end of 1913 would amount to about 9,0001. 2. This offer is an alternative to one in which it was proposed that the buildings should be erected by the contractors and leased to the War Department up to December 1910, on which date the first term of the existing leases of the infantry barracks ends, for a sum which doubtless includes very nearly the full value of the buildings, the rent to be reduced in subsequent years by periodical amounts. Under this offer the cost to the War Department of the new buildings up to December 1910 would be 6,5001, and up to December 1913 11,6007.
3. The proposal mentioned in paragraph 1 is undoubtedly more favourable to the War Department than that contained in paragraph 2, provided that British troops are retained in Tientsin at least until December 1913, but should they be withdrawn at an earlier date the contrary would be the case.
4. Under these circumstances, before approaching the Treasury for the necessary funds, the Army Council would be glad of an expression of opinion on the part of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as to whether the evacuation of North China is likely to take place before the end of 1913.
I have, &c. (Signed) E. W. D. WARD.
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