CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 349

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3.5... Consul General at Cant 1, and it would be essential for a number of Chinese Offic.als and troops to be present Juring the operation.

5. This meta would, it is considered, he the most

effective for te work and act as the reatest deterrent

ainst future lacies.

5

As regards a combined Javal and Military operation, this could bo ar: anged if authorised by dis Excellency the Naval Comander-in-Chief, and as far as the

Navy is concerned would entail:-

(a) Transport for troops.

(b) Disembarking and re-embarking ten on and from the

beaches.

(c) Covering their landi and supporting te m with

gunfire as may be required.

The details of this could be arranged after consultation between tra val and kilitary staffs as to lanjing places and objectives after landing.

7. The craft whica would be available would depend

on the seas.n of the year, and rin, summer months it is

improbable a cruiser xouli be available.

8.

I am disc931 tis question of a combined

punitive expedition with ais Xcellency the General Officer

Commanding, China Command, with a view to formulating a suitable plan, but it would not be possible to put such a plan into operation until the present Standing Instructions issued for the guidance of Commanders-in-C..ief, and Senior officers on the China Station, issued by the Admiralty are materially altered.

9.

It is appreciated that the unstable conditions

in China at the Frosent tin. penisy the present instructions

Impractical to a curtain extent, but in view of the

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