CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927 — Page 209

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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIJ MAJESTY'S GOVLRMENT).

SECRET.

C.O.S.-59,

(Also C.I.D. Paper

No 756-B.

A

COMMITTLE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

CHINES OF STAIF SUB-COMMITTEE.

SITUATION IN CHINA, JANUARY, 1927.

Report by the Chiefs of Staff.

COPY NO.

1.

The Chiefs of Staff Committee have been instructed

by the Prime Minister to examine the situation in China

in the light of recent events. For this purpose we held

a meeting on January 11th, 1927, which was attended by

ir. G.A. Hounsey, C..G.,0.B.E., of the Foreign Office,

and by Captain W.J.C. Lake, R.N., who had recently

returned from the China Station, As a starting point

in our examination we have taken the Re ort which we

submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence on

June 25th, 1925 (C.I.D. Paper 617-B), the Conclusions

of which have sufficient bearing on the present situation

to deserve quotation in full:

"Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations.

(a) The military significance of the present unrest

in China lies rather in the promise it gives of further and more serious disturbances in the future than in any present danger.

(b) In the event of threats to or attacks on the Legation or other British interests in Pekin or Tientsin, no British military force other than the one battalion at Tientsin is available. The first reinforcement which could arrive would be one brigade from India; this could reach Taku in about five weeks from the date of the order to mobilise. During this period of five weeks reliance would have to be placed on international action.

(c) British interests in the Treaty ports are already receiving such protection as is possible from the naval forces in the Far East, and no protection can be provided other than by the naval forces, which we recommend should be increased.

1.