CO129-502-7 China- general situation 4-3-1927 - 26-4-1927 — Page 37

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

Printed for the Committee of Imperial Defence. April 1927.

62

40

SECRET.

790-B.

(Also Papers Nos. C.O.S.-78

and C.P. 123 (27) ).

Copy No. 33

COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL Defence.

}

SITUATION IN CHINA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE YANGTSE.

REPORT BY THE CHIEFS OF STAFF.

AT our 50th Meeting, held on the 11th April, 1927, the First Sea Lord informed us that he had received a telegram* from the, Naval Commander-in-Chief, China (No. 962, dated the 10th April, 1927), in which the latter outlined his proposals for bombarding the forts at Wusung, Kiangyin, Chushan, Kwan, Chinkiang, Nanking and the batteries and arsenal at Hankow, as well as for controlling Chinese traffic on the Yangtse between Hankow and Nanking. The Naval Commander-in-Chief states that he has placed these plans before the American and Japanese Admirals and that, subject to approval, he proposes to carry them out with or without the assistance of American and Japanese Warships.

2. The measures proposed by the Naval Commander-in-Chief are among those suggested in our Report (C.O.S. Paper No. 69†) as possible if His Majesty's Government wish to put pressure on the Cantonese Government, and if they are compelled to act alone, and the Commander-in-Chief evidently considers that they are practicable without the co-operation of the other Powers.

Admiral Tyrwhitt also asks to be informed whether he should despatch the ships to their respective areas of action or wait until the ultimatum is accepted or otherwise. The ultimatum is, we understand, being delivered to-day.

3. In order that the various measures may be taken in accordance with the proposed programme, the Cominander-in-Chief will require at least three days for making the necessary preparations and getting his ships into position. We therefore strongly recommend that he should be informed as early as possible of the decision of His Majesty's Government as to whether he is to be prepared to act alone, in the event of America and Japan refusing to co-operate, and if so on whose instructions.

(Signed)

BEATTY.

G. F. MILNE.

H. TRENCHARD.

2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. 1,

April 11, 1927.

* Not reproduced.

[16032]

† Also C.I.D. Paper No. 784-B and C.P. 110 (27).