CO129-502-7 China- general situation 4-3-1927 - 26-4-1927 — Page 44

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air reconnaissance of Danc

Island forts which would

be greatly resented. All danger from local causes to foreigners in Canton has been removed for the time

being.

As regards sanctions I think reprisal such as shelling of military objectives, military occupation

or blockade should be taken at the spot immediately

after an outrage has occurred. In the present chaotic state of the country with no central authority

even in the South I fear it is useless to make formal

demands long after the event involving execution of high officials. Culprits disappear, there is no one within our reach capable of producing them for punic- ment, and reprisals taken in another part of China are

worse than useless.

Repeated to Foreign Office No. 27 and Hongkong.