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The following Conclusions were formulated at this meeting :—
"(a.) That neither the reoccupation of the British Concession at Hankow nor the destruction of the Hanyang Arsenal should be undertaken at present.
(b.) That, in the absence of any acceptable sanctions, it would be undesirable to co-operate in any further Note by four Powers only to the Nationalist Government at Hankow.
(c.) That further enquiry should be made into the proposals submitted by the Committee of Chiefs of Staff (Paper C.P. 128 (27)), and in Sir Miles Lampson's telegram No. 805 (quoted above), in favour of greater authority being given to the naval forces on the Yangtse to counter-attack with all their power those who fire on ships flying the British Flag, and generally to defend by force and at once attacks on British lives and property."
2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.1,
May 2, 1927.
(Signed) M. P. A. Hankoy.
ANNEXURE No. 1.
Appendix I to Cabinet 23 (27).
(A.)
Code Telegram to Sir M. Lampson (Peking), No. 235, dated April 4, 1927.
(State.)
YOUR telegrams Nos. 599 and 605.
I understand that the five Ministers at Peking have now agreed to recommend to their respective Governments that the following action should be taken in regard to the Nanking affair :-
(a.) To take matter up at once with Chiang Kai-shek through their consuls- general at Shanghai and present to him the following terms :--
1. Adequate punishment of commanders of troops responsible for murders, personal injuries and indignities and material damage done; as also of all persons found to be implicated.
2. Apology in writing by Commander-in-chief of Nationalist army, including an express written undertaking to refrain from all forms of violence and agitation against foreign lives and property.
3. Complete reparation for personal injuries and material damage done.
(b.) Simultaneously to inform Chiang Kai-shek, through the consuls-general, that unless he demonstrates to our satisfaction his intention to comply promptly with these terms the interested Powers will find themselves compelled to take such measures as they consider appropriate.
It was also unanimously agreed concurrently to make an identic communication to Chen in the following terms :-
On the instructions of the..
directed by the.....
.Government, I am Minister to present to you the
following terms (which are also being addressed to General Chiang Kai-shek, Commander-in-chief of the Nationalist armies), for prompt settlement of the situation created by outrages against.
..subjects committed by Nationalist troops at Nanking on the 24th March last (here insert terms (a) and (b).)”
His Majesty's Government are for their part ready to agree to these recommendations, subject to the two following provisos :·
1. They fully appreciate the force of the view expressed by the Japanese Government that, as there is reason for believing that Chiang Kai-shek is now endeavouring to form a nucleus of moderate elements directed against the extremist factions of the Nationalist Government, which may constitute the one hope for China's future, it would be contrary to the interests of the Powers to humiliate him unduly at the present moment.
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