CO129-502-7 China- general situation 4-3-1927 - 26-4-1927 — Page 114

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APPENDIX.

Copy of Cypher Telegram from Commander-in-Chief, China, to Admiralty, No. 923, dated March 31, 1927.

(No. 923. State.)

ADDRESSÉD to Admiralty; repeated to British Minister, Peking. Your No. 655,* your No. 658,* your No. 659.*

While I agree that forcible measures must be taken, if necessary, to enforce ultimatum, this is tantamount to war, and I cannot concur as to feasibility of your proposals. Reference to your No. 655 (a), interruption of troop movements and stoppage of Chinese traffic on Yang-tsze amounts to internal blockade and cannot be effected without engaging forts. Any co-operation by other Powers is improbable until their nationals have been evacuated from the Yang-tsze. Any [? direct] interference with operations by Southern forces against North will not be to our advantage. I strongly advise that if forcible action is taken it should be in the form of a definite operation against definite points. It should bring us some concrete advantage. Its successful achievement must be quick rather than protracted, and when completed such that it cannot be denied or misrepresented to the world by propagandists. I suggest

(a.) The seizure of Wusung forts, including Shihtzulin.

(b.) The seizure or neutralisation of Chinese naval forces.

This will entail employment of several of His Majesty's ships. Both these are advantageous to foreign Powers. Forts can be destroyed before they are evacuated. In the case of Wusung it will add greatly to security of shipping entering Wusung, which may become a vital point as regards food supply. After consultation with General Duncan, we recommend ultimatum should include at Shanghai the with- drawal of all Chinese armed forces other than police from the area within a radius of 12 English miles measured from the mouth of Soochow Creek and the subsequent military occupation by foreign armed forces of such points within this area as may be deemed necessary to ensure the security of Shanghai. The number of police mentioned above shall not exceed those employed in said area on 1st January, 1927. The advantage of this is that it would safeguard present position at Shanghai, which other Powers, particularly Japanese and French, will probably insist upon as a con- dition before agreeing to any action elsewhere. The seizing Boca Tigris and Dane Island forts has not been suggested on account of paragraph 2 of your No. 659.* 2128/31.

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