CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 369

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmen

17226

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16390]

No. 1.

REG 21 MAY 09

[May 1

367

SECTION 4.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 1.)

(No. 116.) Sir,

Peking, March 15, 1909. WITH reference to my telegrams No. 208 of the 30th December, 1908, and No. 61 of the 14th instant, I have the honour to report that about 600 officers and men of the German garrison in North China left yesterday for Europe. The total number of German troops now remaining is 150, of whom 120 are stationed here and 30 at Tien-tsin.

The reduction, which has been greater than was anticipated, has, my German colleague informs me, been carried out contrary to his advice, for reasons of economy and in deference to the views of the Reichstag.

The Germans have a force of about 2,000 troops at Tsingtau, on which they would be able to draw in case of emergency.

I have, &c. (Signed)

J. N. JORDAN.

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