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of State for Foreign Affairs should send a telegram to the Acting Consul-General at Canton, warning him that he may be approached on the subject by the Senior Naval Officer, and (if the Secretary of State thinks fit) giving the Consul-General an expression of his own views on the political side of the question. We suggest that the Governo of Hong Kong should be informed.
own.
9. Before expressing any final view on the desirability of operation against the Dane Island and Bogue Forts, we consider that the subject requires to be explored in detail. We have accordingly instructed our Joint Planning Sub-Committee, on receipt of views from the General Officer Commanding and Senior Naval Officer at Hong Kong, to examine the question. On receipt of their Report* we will submit our recommendations. We have not overlooked, however, that a possible objection to a strong action at Canton is the moderation displayed by the present local authorities, whom it may be undesirable to antagonise. This point has been brought to the attention of the Naval Commander-in-Chief in a telegram sent to him on the subject by the Admiralty.
10. Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations.
(a.) In present conditions, the destruction or occupation of the forts on the Yangtse and of the arsenal at Hankow should be abandoned as a measure of sanction, though, if circumstances change, it might again prove useful. (b.) In present conditions, the reoccupation of the British Concession at Hankow, involving the maintenance of a military garrison there, is not considered a feasible operation.
(c.) The seizure of the Cantonese Fleet is a feasible operation which should exercise some effect on the Cantonese. We feel bound to mention, however, that the disturbed situation at Amoy has been improved owing to the efforts of the Southern Chinese naval authorities.
(d.) Although the seizure of Customs revenues is not a strictly military sanction, we venture to recommend that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should consult the Consul-General at Shanghai in regard to the proposal contained in Sir Miles Lampson's telegram No. 674 of the 11th April in favour of impounding the proceeds of the surtaxes at Shanghai. We suggest that the Secretary of State should at the same time invite the views of the Consul-General as to the effect of such action on Chiang Kai-shek's military position.
(e.) The destruction of the Dane Island and Bogue Forts covering the sea approaches to Canton is another possible form of sanction. We reserve our final opinion on this until we have received replies to telegrams which are being sent to the General Officer Commanding and the Senior Naval Officer and a detailed report from our Joint Planning Sub-Committee. (f.) In connection with (e), we recommend that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should send a telegram to the Acting Consul-General at Canton warning him that the Senior Naval Officer may ask whether there is any political objection to an air reconnaissance of the Dane Island and Bogue Forts if the Senior Naval Officer himself considers this course desirable. We venture to suggest that the Secretary of State should consider the desirability of himself giving the Acting Consul-General some guidance. on the political side of this proposal. We also suggest that the Governor of Hong Kong should be informed.
(Signed)
BEATTY.
G. F. MILNE.
2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. 1,
April 14, 1927.
H. TRENCHARD.
*This Report has now been received and issued as Papers Nos. C.O.S. 81 and J.P. 3.
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