CO129-502-8 China- general situation 27-4-1927 - 15-9-1927 — Page 186

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9. This Report was considered by the Cabinet at a meeting held the same day at 4 P.M. (Reference Cabinet 22 (27)) when the following conclusions were reached :-

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"(a.) In regard to the forts at Wusung (dealt with in the first of the recommendations of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff): that the Admiralty should send the following telegram to the Commander-in-Chief :-

'We cannot approve the destruction of the Wusung forts as a measure of reprisal for Nanking, for it would exercise no effective coercion on the Southern Government or forces. But you suggest that these forts endanger your communications with Shanghai. If now or at any time this danger is serious, and it is necessary for the protection of Shanghai to destroy the forts, you are authorised to take action for their destruction without further reference home.'

(b.) As regards the proposed withdrawal of Chinese troops from an area around Soochow Creek: that the Secretary of State for War should send a telegram to the General Officer Commanding the Shanghai Defence Force putting the objections contained in the Report of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff, asking what action he proposed to take if the Chinese Commander-in- Chief refused to comply with the request, and enquiring whether (since the use of international forces was apparently contemplated) he expected to obtain the assent of the Officers Commanding the American and Japanese forces.

(c.) As regards the proposed reinforcements to China, to approve the proposal of the Secretary of State for War to send an additional Infantry Brigade and more artillery from England.

(d.) As regards a telegram from Sir Miles Lampson (Peking telegram No. 575, dated the 30th March) drawing attention to the importance of the Cable Stations at Sharp Peak, near Foochow, and at Amoy, the following action should be taken:

(i.) The Admiralty should draw the attention of the Commander-in-Chief

to the importance of securing the safety of Sharp Peak;

(ii.) The Foreign Secretary should take such action, at such time as he might deem desirable, to draw the attention of the French Govern- ment to the importance of the Amoy Cable Station."

10. The Chiefs of Staff met again on the 2nd April to consider the reply from Admiral Sir R. Tyrwhitt referred to at the end of paragraph 8 above. It was found, however, that no recommendations could be submitted to the Cabinet without still further information from China. The meeting was therefore adjourned until the 4th April, when a Report was drawn up (C.I.D. Paper No. 787-B), the Conclusions and recommendations of which are summarised below:--

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'20.—(a.) We concur in the following sanctions proposed by the Naval Commanders-in-Chief in China of the British, American, Japanese and French Fleets, and recommend their adoption as the basis of the sanctions to an ultimatum:-

(i.) The seizure and destruction of the Wusung forts.

(ii.) The bombardment of the Yangtse forts.

(iii.) The destruction of the arsenals at Hankow and Canton, but not

Shanghai.

(iv.) The seizure or destruction of the Cantonese Fleet.

(b.) In case the above sanctions do not produce the necessary result, the following measures of reprisal should be kept in reserve for the present:-

(i.) The interdiction to the Cantonese of the passage of the Yangtse. (ii.) Blockade.

(c.) In order not to give longer than absolutely necessary to the Cantonese to complete their measures at the forts and elsewhere to enable them to impede the movement of British and foreign ships on the Yangtse, there should be as little delay as possible between a refusal by the Cantonese to give