CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 207

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Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 15, 3 P.M.)

Sir J.

(No. 57.) R.

YOUR telegram No. 45

J

Peking, March 15, 1914.

(March 15, 6:10 P.M.)

I had received Sir F. May's despatch before sending my telegram No. 46

but made no comment as I assumed that his views would receive full consideration at home. After consulting General Foster, who has just come from Hong Kong, and in view of admitted uncertainty of situation, I am now inclined to think that proposed reduction at Hong Kong may be premature.

As to North China I still adhere to proposed reduction. But I understand that General Officer Commanding in North China has been instructed to reduce his transport establishment to a garrison basis, and gathered from General Foster that this would render his force immobile. I venture strongly to deprecate any reduction which would prevent despatch of a force to any point in case of emergency.

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