CO129-502-7 China- general situation 4-3-1927 - 26-4-1927 — Page 105

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interrupt troop movements, but every day's delay increased

the difficulties. General Charles explained in detail

the difficulties and dangers involved in the proposal to

demand the withdrawal of the Chinese from an area within

12 miles of Soochow Creek.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave the

Cabinet a review of the attitude of the Governments

of Japan and the United States of America so far as could

at present be judged, and at the end of the meeting he read

to the Cabinet draft telegrams which he proposed to send

to Washington and Tokyo.

The Cabinet agreed

(a)

(b)

-

In regard to the forts at Wusang (dealt with in the first of the

recommendations of the Committee of Chiefs

of Staff): that the Admiralty should send the following telegram to the Commander-in-Chief:-

"We cannot approve the destruction of the

Wusang forts as a measure of reprisal for Nanking, for it would exercise no effective coercion on the Southern Government or forces. But you suggest that these forts endanger your communications with Shanghai. or at any time this danger is serious and it is necessary for the protection of Shanghai to destroy the forts you are authorised to take action for their destruction without further reference home"

If now

As regards the proposed withdrawal of Chinese troops from an area around Souchow Creek: that the Secretary of State for War should send a telegram to the General Officer Commanding the Shanghai Defence Force putting the objections contained in the Report of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff asking what action he proposed to take if the Chinese Commander-in-Chief refused to comply with the request; and enquiring whether (since the use of international forces was apparently contemplated) he

expected to obtain the assent of the Officers Commanding the American and Japanese forces.

(c)