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We have never admitted that the use of the Kowloon Aerodrome is prohibited, in so far as operations against the Chinese are concerned, by the Washington Agreement, and we ask that this will be borne in mind by the Foreign Office.
We would also point out that any diffidence regarding the use of an aerodrome situated in our own territories at Hong Kong is hardly compatible with the organisa- tion of measures for the use of an aerodrome in Chinese territory at Shanghai.
14. The situation which confronts us at Canton involves risks, whatever course is adopted. We do not conceal from the Committee of Imperial Defence that a policy of tenacious resistance involves risks both locally, owing to the exposed position of Shameen and the nature of the line of withdrawal, as well as from the point of view of possibly precipitating events elsewhere in China, and particularly at Shanghai, but on balance we believe that the course we recommend is the best.
15. In conclusion, therefore, we summarise our recommendations as follows:- (1.) That the British Consul-General at Canton, the Governor and the naval and military authorities at Hong Kong should receive instructions to the following effect :-
(a.) That the men on the spot should have full discretion to hold the Shameen as long as they consider possible, whether against mob violence or against Cantonese troops, with such forces as can be placed at their disposal from Hong Kong, having regard to conclusion (c) below.
(b.) That arrangements should be made for the evacuation from Shameen of all non-combatants before serious trouble eventuates, the exact time for such evacuation being left to the man on the spot. (c.) That no further reinforcements can be despatched to Hong Kong for the defence of Shameen, and that one battalion must be held in readiness at Hong Kong to proceed to Shanghai in accordance with present instructions.
(d.) That the use of aircraft, in connection with the defence of Shameen. is permitted and that, should the situation necessitate it, the shelling of vital points in Canton or of the river defences is permitted.
(2.) That if considerations other than military allow, the Acting Consul-General, Canton, should be authorised as proposed in his telegram No. 5 of the 13th January, to inform the General in Command of the Chinese Forces, Canton, that if Shameen is attacked, we shall take such steps as we may think fit, but that the actual nature of such steps should not be specified. Also that discretion should be given to him to arrange for a demonstration over Canton by as many aircraft as can be made available at the moment that this communication is being conveyed to the Chinese General. (3.) That if Shameen is attacked, a blockade of Canton and the bombing and shelling of vital points (such as magazines, military establishments, &c.) are among the counter-measures which should be permitted.
(4.) That immediate authority should be given to the Governor and Naval authorities at Hong Kong for the use of the Kowloon Aerodrome.
(Signed)
BEATTY.
H. TRENCHARD. G. F. MILNE.
2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. 1, January 18, 1927.
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