[3484] 14640/P637 200 pads 10/23sa 754 G & S 126
TELEGRAM.
SECRET.
From ADMIRALTY.
To
0.in c. China 812.
159
OUT
No.
DATE 11.5.27
SENT
2135.
Repeat H.M.Minister, Pekin 1.
Foreign Office Cypher K. (Reoyphered).
IGEDIATE.
In view of the rapid changes in the situation in
China and the increasing number of occasions on which
H.M.Ships and Merchant Vessels flying the British Flag are
being subjected to hostile action on the part of one or
other of the contending forces in Ohine, His Majesty's
Government have empowered the Admiralty to authorise you,
at your discretion, not only to reply to fire airected
against H.M,Shipe, but to take retaliatory action whenever
fire is directed against any ship flying the British Flage
You therefore have full discretion to take such action
against the offender with all the forces at your disposal, if necessary supplemented by landing parties for the
purpose of destroying forts or guns guilty of such action.
(2) For this purpose you are authorised to draw upon the Shanghai Defence Force for any troops you may require and which the General Officer Commanding, shanghai Foroe,
is able to spare for this purpose.
The War Office are issuing instructions to the Generai Officer Commanding accordingly.
2135.
1st Lord. C.E.3.
D.C.N.S.
A.C.N.S. D.C.
D.D.O.D.(2). D.N.I.
D.of P. M.8.
Ciroulation outside Admiralty -
War Office, Air Ministry, C.Iodo
Foreign Office, Colonial Office.
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