CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 63

apart from the large numbers who would be required for the defence of a a foreign outbreak

The chanc

al Canton

alt

da aut

that the

presence of on the shameen of 200 to

Au

300 troops from Nothing would provide

almost certain assurance against any allack,

which might be threatened; and that, in the

concessions

all the

Event

of

Lerious

Trouble

the British

Community could be withdrawn and

:

escafe down the river to

Mary. Hat. Justi.

A

W that in the openion of B. Mis

Representative & Consular Officers in China the

contingency of auth freezer risings is growing

!

fini

been

It has wit therefore

remote /3, 14

& laste leasti

Considered.

recessary

to wake

may

request to the Jefausse gost in the matter:

SECRET.

5362/1916.

DOWNG STREET,

February, 1916.

61

Sir,

Site. Grey add

I am directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your secret letter No. 083/4942 (M.0.1.) and to request you to inform the Army Council that he has consulted the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with regard to the Council's suggestion that the General Officer Commanding China should be instructed to afford such limited assistance as is within his power with the object of facilitating the withdrawal of the British community from Shameen in case of

necessity.

2. Sir E. Grey concurs in this proposal and I am accordingly to request that the necessary

instructions may be given to the General Officer

Commanding.

but the AC have expressed their readmiss to instinct the s.o.c. China to afford such limited asustance

40737400

is within

his power, with the object of facilitating

the withdrawal of the British community

pom Slammern in

are

being

ca.ze.

of necessity,

and

to issue wistinctions

thy bevont requested to

accordingly.

(Sgd) A Bonet Law

THE SECRET ARY

WAR OFFICE.

I am,

sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(Syd). H.J. Read.

i